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Kia, 29, and Tristan, 26, met at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte and were just friends during college. They drifted apart after graduation but a friend helped re-connect them years later. The two married May 30, 2010 and live in Charlotte. Kia tells their story.
Schoolgirl crush: I was a senior and Tristan only a freshman when we met. I’d been talking my friend’s ear off about how cute he was when she walked over to him and said he should get to know me. Tristan and I made eye contact, he introduced himself and we started hanging out.
Birthday date?: On Tristan’s birthday he was feeling homesick so I planned to cheer him up. I had him wear a crown when I took him to dinner for scallops, his favorite. After, we went and saw “Hitch.” I was crushed when he gave me a hug and thanked me for the birthday outing, instead of a kiss after what I thought was our first date. We hung out a few more times but eventually fell out of touch.
More than friends: I was at work two years later when the same friend who introduced Tristan and I called to say he had contacted her for my number. Tristan was living in Louisville, Ky. so we began a long-distance relationship and my first visit was for his birthday. Within seven months he’d called my parents and asked for their blessing before proposing.
Late night surprise: Tristan knew he wanted to propose on Oct. 2, 2008. I didn’t know he was in Charlotte and when he called and told me to walk outside, I was wearing pajamas with holes in them. Tristan came out of the bushes, knelt with a ring and told me he knew I was the one the first time we met. We welcomed our son into the world July 25, 2011 and love our life together. Hilary Trenda
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E-mail htrenda@charlotteobserver.com. Type "love story" in subject field. Include full names, ages, address, daytime phone number, wedding date, photo. To read past Love Stories: www.charlotteobserver.com/love.
