A Twenty-four Year Marriage Journey
“What God has joined together, let no one separate”
–Matthew 19:6
You Changed My Life is Myreon and Kenya’s wedding song. Isn’t that exactly what happens when we allow another person in our lives? Particularly when we allow ourselves to love that person and in return that person loves us back.
Myreon and Kenya celebrated their 24-year wedding anniversary on September 21, 2020. They have been boyfriend and girlfriend for 30 years, which they celebrated at the beginning of this month: September 1, 2020. September is undoubtedly their personal love month.
A young love that started with an attraction and an appreciation for authenticity grew into a love built on far more. It became a love that stood up against breakups, various challenges and hurt, to a legacy of children, faith and trust in God. A determination and perseverance and an even greater attraction and appreciation for each other and their covenant as Mr. and Mrs. Gray.
Their transparency is refreshing. Marriage is truly a journey. Its survival takes two people who are willing to remain on that journey, for better or for worst. Myreon and Kenya remained…. and continue their marriage journey. I hope that this small snippet of their journey will benefit you reading. I hope it encourages you. Marriage works! Marriages do survive. Marriage is a journey. Stay on the journey.
I celebrate this couple and will continue to pray God’s guidance and protection over them and their marriage. As we continue to build, support and celebrate marriages through Unwavering Love.
Here is a snapshot of their marriage journey. They have remained joined together and not separated by man. They continue to grow and develop as individuals and as a married couple, changing for the better.
Kenya provided the responses unless otherwise noted, where both her and Myreon responded.
The Wedding
- What were your wedding colors? Why those colors?
“Maroon because Myreon likes red.”
- Number of people who were in your bridal party? Was there a specific reason for the number or did it just turn out that way?
“There were 17 in my wedding party. There would have been a couple more groomsmen, but they could not afford tuxedos.”
- What is your wedding song? Briefly share your reason behind the the song choice.
“The song was “You Changed My Life” by Yolanda Adams and Doug Williams. I picked it because it was a beautiful song. It was a wedding song and gospel.”
- What was the best part about your wedding?
“The best part of the wedding for me was Myreon kneeling at the alter when I walked down. The best part for him was walking down the aisle as man and wife.”
- If something didn’t go as planned, what was it and how did you respond to it?
“The wedding went as planned.”
- What is one tip you would share to couples planning a wedding?
“We planned a wedding in 2 months and the best thing I can say about planning a wedding is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money for it to be beautiful.”
…The Change Continues …
THROUGH TRIUMPHS, TRIALS AND THEIR TENACITY TO TRUST IN GOD!
- How many years have you been married?
“Married 24 years.”
- Number of children?
“4.”
- How did you meet?
Kenya: “We first spotted each other at a church youth group meeting but didn’t actually talk until I approached him at Lakehurst Mall.”
Myreon: “She used me. If it weren’t for another guy bothering her at the mall, she wouldn’t have talk to me.”
Kenya: “Not even true, I really did think he was cute when I saw him at church.”
- When did each of you realize you loved the other?
Kenya: “I knew he was special after the first couple of months.”
Myreon: “I knew after a couple of weeks that I loved her because she was like no other girl I had ever met. I knew after talking on the phone for seven hours. She didn’t have a façade. She was authentically herself.”
- What were you attracted to first about your spouse? What are you attracted to now?
Kenya: “His eyes, his charm his humor and his musical talent. I loved his intelligence. He taught me things about serving God that I didn’t know. Now, it’s still his boyish charm, intelligence and his dedication to our children and family.”
Myreon: “When I first saw her at church, I thought boy she’s beautiful. I need to keep my eye on her. I had this dream of this girl with a lot of hair when I was a little boy and she looked like that girl. She’s still beautiful and her personality is still the same. She can wear her hair in different ways and still be beautiful.”
- How long did you date/court before getting married?
“The first time we were together for three years. We had a baby and broke up for two and a half years. When we got back together, we dated for ten months and got married.”
- The hardest challenge(s) you have encountered in your marriage?
“Two things: Our daughter’s diabetes diagnosis at age 10. After that period, we did not get along at all. There was a lot of verbal and emotional abuse and we eventually split up for 3 months.”
- The greatest accomplishment(s)you have achieved since married?
“We have successfully raised three children and our youngest is on her way to a promising future. We stayed together despite challenges, but the glory really goes to God.”
- What advice would you give couples who are planning on getting married?
Kenya: “Make sure that you want the same things in life and are walking in agreement with what you want to see for your life and family. Don’t go into marriage thinking that you can change your spouse. The problems you have before marriage will be magnified after marriage. Keep God first and pray for your spouse daily.”
Myreon: “Learn to grow together. There will be a lot of good times and some bad times. Usually, the hard times are over small issues, but the key is to stay committed and learn to work together. Forgive quickly and understand you are one and in this together but are still individuals.”
- The scripture at the foundation of your marriage?
“What God has joined together, let no one separate” -Matthew 19:6”
- Is there anything else you would like to share about your marriage? Fun fact. Accomplishments? Discovery about yourself and/or each other?
Kenya: “I appreciate how he has always supported me with going to school and starting a business. I discovered that I blamed him for a lot of things but when I searched myself, I knew I had to work on me.”
Myreon: “I love her more today than I did yesterday even though I don’t always act like it. Being married is a beautiful thing. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I pray that everyone will find someone that they can grow with and love unconditionally.”
Kenya is a certified fitness instructor. She is also a life coach, inspirational speaker and an author. She is the founder of Purpose2Prosper Inspiration & Fitnesshttps://www.youtube.com/embed/CCjTXJ3z4kM?feature=oembed
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