Downtown Charleston Engagement Session: Leslie + Jelani

Sirena White-Singleton
Dec 18, 2016
5 min read

"There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved."

It's truly an honor when beautiful couples in love entrust you to capture their love story, but it's even more humbling when a friend entrusts you with capturing their wedding day. When Leslie reached out to me to capture her upcoming nuptials I got all giddy inside! Leslie and me go way back to our time at Charleston Southern University. I met Leslie my freshman year of college through the CAB (Campus Activity Board) and participating in activities on campus. We just clicked and to this day have remained good friends.

Let me tell you! When I met Leslie and Jelani together for the first time I instantly saw that they were made for one another! If you don't believe in love at first sight, you will definitely be a believer after you read Leslie + Jelani's love story. They meet back in 2005 and have been together ever since!

How did the two of you meet?

We met on 11/5/2005 at Bar 145 in Downtown Charleston. I was out with my roommate Krystal and some of her friends. Jelani, his brother Zuberi, and his Marine Corp buddies were there after they attended the Marine Corps ball. He was the last to come in and I noticed him the moment he walked in the door. I told my friend that we should make our way over to them, but let's go by the bathroom first to freshen up. Once we got over to where they were. Krystal and I began to dance with each other. I playfully started dancing with Jelani and that was all she wrote. We danced together all night, and sparks just flew. I've never been that drawn to anyone, but it was love at first sight. The next day he was all I thought about. I was in church and could barely concentrate on the sermon because I was constantly thinking of him. When I got home after church I couldn't wait to call him. I had never called a guy in my life, but decided to call. What did I have to loose? I called him and he was in the middle of a nap. I apologized and told him he could call me after he got up. It had been a few hours and I hadn't heard from him. I was really hesitant to call him, but thought maybe he forgot. We just met each other the day before, so I figured I'd call him and ask if he wanted to get dinner. This time when I called he was in whispering that he was in the middle of a Marine Corp meeting and he would call me after. I was too embarrassed. I felt desperate and knew he wouldn't call me back, but he did. He came over that evening and met my roommates. We had a good time just talking and getting to know each other. A few days later on 11/8/2005, we had our first date at Gennaro's Italian restaurant in North Charleston. He grew up with the owner's son, and they spoke very highly of him. I was too proud to be his date that night. The next couple of weeks we began to see each other just about everyday. The night before Thanksgiving I was home in Columbia and I told my Mom about a cute Marine I had met. I wasn't sure if it was serious yet, so I just casually mentioned it. He called a few minutes later to see how I was doing and he said that he told his mother that he was dating a nice girl. I was like "We're dating? You didn't ask me to be your girlfriend." He immediately laughed and asked me if it was okay for him to be my boyfriend. Of course I said, "YES" and I'm sure he could hear me smiling through the phone. I told him that I'd call him right back, that I needed to correct something. I turned to my Mom and said. "Correction we aren't just seeing each other. I have a boyfriend."Just one month later Jelani left for Iraq. I was so sad about him leaving, but we kept a journal and of course wrote letters. Our journal ended up getting lost in the mail, which is really sad because we had some great entrees in it. He came home in early September, and it was the best home coming ever! We've been together ever since. It's been a roller coaster ride but we both are better people because of each other.

When did the proposal take place?

It was 07/19/2015 Jelani and I had just come home from the Jamaica Jerk Festival where we had a really good time. I was being silly up stairs and Jelani asked me if he was to propose what would I want him to say. I had a few beers at the festival so I was extra silly and said that I'd want him to tell me I was a beautiful princess and he wanted to be my prince forever while I frolicked through the bathroom. Hahahaha! I turned around and he was on one knee dying laughing. I still wasn't fully grasping what was happening and he took my hand and asked me to marry him. I laughed and he opened the black box and my beautiful engagement ring was it. Of course I said yes and he placed my ring on my finger, and a kiss to seal the deal.

What is the cutest thing he has done for you without you asking?

The cutest and sweetest thing he's done for me was sending me flowers and gifts while he was in Iraq. He seemed to always know when I was missing him, and like clockwork there was always something coming in the mail to make me smile, and let me know he'd be home soon.

What is something you love about him that has completely changed your life?

His undying support and always being there when I need him most. I love how he always has my best interest at heart even when it's something difficult. I'll forever be grateful for his support when I was playing roller derby. He came to every home game as long as he didn't have to work, and I honestly played some of my best derby while he was in attendance.