Our story started by chance. Both employed at the ATL Airport and working on the ramp, we happened to be introduced at work while engaged on a summertime project. Surprisingly, this project required us to spend most of that summer working tirelessly to accomplish our day-to-day goals. We suppose, what started as operations oriented discussions slowly turned into casual and light hearted conversation. We knew from these early chit chats, that we were both different. Lashandra was a busy, jovial, social butterfly while Lyle on the other hand could be described as a regimented, introverted, no nonsense type of guy. We quickly realized that we both shared a passion for great food. Our food passion led us to step away from those light hearted conservations and expand our culinary horizons. I suppose that is where our true interest in each other started. Each evening before leaving work, we would agree to meet at a food spot on Buford Hwy to try something new. This was our way of trying something new…bonding and feeding our faces at the same time!

Our gastronomic date nights slowly developed into discussions about travel. Travel was something we both desired to enjoy more of, but due to our schedules, made it difficult to plan. It all changed one early winter morning, when the stars lined up perfectly and those discussions of travel turned into two Delta One seats to Paris, France. The chilly Parisian air , the bright lights of Lè Eiffel, the smoke filled restaurants along the Seine River, all exciting and exhilarating to us. We quickly realized we made great travel companions, not to mention connoisseurs of gastronomy. We knew Paris was our first, but was it going to be our last?

Paris was the start of something magical. We figured out how to expand on our globetreks while focusing on learning, building and uplifting each other. Travel was great, but we knew a strong foundation was required to sustain a rewarding relationship. As time progressed our bond only grew stronger.

The big day for us came when we finally met each other’s family. It was a time of nervousness and a bit of fear, but the right way forward. We both quickly came to the conclusion that inclusion into each other’s family added a new and fulfilling dynamic to our relationship.

The years passed. The food, travel and family were great. Life was wonderful. We both knew we wanted more. Lyle knew Lashandra was his special one. His planning started a year in advance in utter secrecy. No one knew what Lyle had in the pipe works. No one knew the day nor the hour when any of his feverish planning would all make sense. Then one evening, on a warm and humid Balinese evening, his year of planning in secrecy came to light. Lashandra initially thought it was a very nice dinner to end a great vacation, however, with a slight of the hand, that little black box appeared. Lyle opened it to expose a little sparkle, and with one direct question from him, and a yes response from her, an engagement was created!

What started with airplanes, concrete and a blazing hot sun…..then led to food, drinks and conversation….eventually turned into great partners who loved and travel….supported by family and friends….committed to start a lifetime journey together.