Our Love Story
pt. 1 — Mission Impossible:
In January 2019, Chelsea had just moved to New York City from Detroit, embarking on an exciting new career opportunity working at YouTube. Barely three weeks into settling into her Harlem apartment, one of her best friends from high school and now bridesmaid, Nakeya, reached out. As a flight attendant based out of LaGuardia, Nakeya often found herself in the city, but now that Chelsea was living there, they wanted to plan some quality time to catch up over the weekend of February 1st, 2019.
During their Saturday meet up at the popular brunch spot, Angel of Harlem, Nakeya mentioned that her friend Mikal also from Atlanta—and now one of James’ groomsmen—had invited her to a birthday party in the city later that night. She asked Chelsea to join her. Chelsea didn’t know who the birthday party was for, but she figured it would be a good opportunity to get out, meet new people, and explore her new city. Little did she know, saying yes to this night would change her life forever.
After brunch, Nakeya and Chelsea got ready for round two and headed downtown Manhattan.
On the night of February 2, 2019 — Chelsea walked into the iconic 40/40 Club for James’ 28th birthday party. James, though based in Virginia for his job at Wells Fargo, had a thriving social life in New York due to his career in finance and decided to host his birthday in NYC. From the moment their eyes met, there was an unspoken connection and beaming curiosity. They spent the entirety of the birthday party in one on one conversation and laughter. James even bought Chelsea her own personal bottle of champagne that night. Nice one James!
pt. 2 — From Atlanta, With Love:
They unraveled surprising facts about themselves—most notably, that they had grown up just eight minutes apart in the same neighborhood in Stone Mountain, GA. Stone Mountain, back in the ‘90s was a popular neighborhood for young Black families seeking community, and opportunity. Chelsea’s parents, originally from Baltimore, MD had moved to Atlanta in 1994, drawn by the promise of the upcoming ‘96 Olympics and the city’s booming Black middle class. James’ parents, who were already from the Atlanta area, had temporarily settled in Stone Mountain while awaiting the completion of their new family home in Covington. Though their childhoods unfolded on parallel streets—Chelsea on Sandtown Lane, James on Sundown Way— their paths never crossed.
Even though they never met as children, it was as if the universe had been orchestrating their meeting for decades— only to finally bring them together, years later, in the middle of a bustling nightclub in New York City.
But fate, as it often does, had its own timing. Chelsea was in a relationship, and though curiosity was piqued, she made it clear they could only be friends. James respected that.
pt. 3 — The Spy Who Loved Me [Back]:
Chelsea and James stayed in touch throughout 2019, their friendship sustained by unexpectedly long, winding phone calls and friendly jokes.
James, ever the optimist, continued visiting New York, hoping to see Chelsea. She, still in her relationship, only occasionally accepted his invitations to meet up with him and his friends.
Then, in late 2020, everything changed.
Chelsea was now single, and the world was in the midst of a pandemic. New York—once full of energy and excitement— felt chaotic and uncertain. Chelsea decided to move back to Atlanta to be closer to family. James, too, had returned to Atlanta after the heartbreaking loss of his father, the Honorable Horace J. Johnson, Jr to COVID-19.
This time, it was Chelsea who reached out. By the end of 2020, they met up in person again, and the moment their eyes met, it was as if no time had passed at all. Fast forward to February 2021—two years after their first meeting in NYC, that had officially begun dating and made their first appearance as a couple at James’ 30th birthday party. They also decided to celebrate their new relationship in the boldest way possible: by moving in together… in a temporary Airbnb. To some, it may have seemed reckless. To them, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. For one month, they lived under the same roof, sharing quiet mornings, going on lots of dates, and having endless conversations about their hopes for their future relationship. Thankfully, that month went well (as it definitely could have been a risky move!)
pt. 4 — The World Isn’t Enough:
When the month of February ended, Chelsea, now a digital nomad working remotely, decided to move to Houston to spend time with her dad while saving for a home. Their nightly phone calls turned into FaceTime marathons— just like teenagers, they would talk until they fell asleep, the screen still glowing in the dark. But by June 2021, they both knew distance wasn’t something they wanted anymore. So James flew to Houston, and together, they made the drive back to Atlanta. Before leaving Houston, they stopped at Pappadeaux— Chelsea’s favorite childhood restaurant— where, for the first time, her dad agreed to meet someone she was dating. The dinner went extremely well and it was a defining moment as well as a silent acknowledgment that this was something real.
By July, they had moved into another Airbnb in Atlanta. In a way, Airbnb became a cornerstone of their love story— a creative solution to the challenges of a world still finding its way through a pandemic and a way for them to carve out space for each other when the world felt uncertain.
But soon, life called them in different directions. As summer came to a close, and WFH policies tightened — James had to return to the office in Virginia. By then, Chelsea had already purchased her condo in Atlanta, so long-distance became their new reality. But instead of pulling them apart, it only deepened their bond.
By 2022, they had both made some career shifts— Chelsea from YouTube to Stripe, James from Wells Fargo to Truist— both decisions allowing them to be back in Atlanta, aligning their paths in ways that felt beautifully intentional. They went on to attend too many weddings to count, celebrated notable career milestones, and started traveling the world.
pt. 5 — Diamonds are Forever:
Fast forward to Friday, October 13, 2023. They were eight days into a dreamy 10-day Euro-trip when James, who had been inconspicuously carrying the ring all along, proposed on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. It was romantic, surreal and everything they had ever imagined. Of course, Chelsea said yes.
As they step into marriage, they are filled with excitement for all that’s to come—building a home and family together, traveling the world, hosting legendary NYE parties with their loved ones, and, most importantly, continuing to center Christ in their relationship.
