It may come as a surprise, but my mother and one of Diane’s mother’s in law, Helen Helfer, were responsible for connecting Diane and I.

You see, Helen and my mother were officemates at HUD headquarters in Washington, DC. At the time, Helen was married to Victor Wilburn, Diane’s father. One day in March of that year, Helen informed my mother that Victor’s daughter, Diane, planned to spend the summer with she and Victor at their home on 5th ST, NW. She expressed concern that she didn’t know any young black men to introduce Diane to. She asked my mother for her assistance. Of course, my mother offered me as someone who could show Diane around.

When I stopped by Mom and Dad’s house that weekend, Mom told me about her conversation with Helen and requested that I help Diane to get to know the DC area. My first question to my mother was as follows. “How old is she?” When I heard the number 18, (at the time I was 25) I was not at all happy. My immediate response was “ Oh no, Ma, come on!” But, how do you say no to your mother, especially my mother.

Not too long after that conversation, I was invited to dinner in mid-May at the home of the Wilburn’s. I didn’t know how it was going to go, so I planned a second date later on that night. Truth is the food was good, the conversation was pleasant, the atmosphere was relaxed and I found Diane to be very attractive. After dinner, I took her on a short sightseeing tour of DC. We got along famously from the beginning. However, I had her home at 11:15pm. That was the start of a great summer together and a loving relationship that has stood the test of time and other marriages.

For the past 25 years, we have been blessed to have each other as life partners. Our marriage has been a blessing from the Lord. One we are so grateful for.