We always say that we met by God’s grace. Neither of us planned to end up at Gordon. Nate only applied to Gordon while Shineika applied to multiple schools, and Gordon was not even on her list. But we were both invited to apply for the Clarendon Honors Program, and after many prayers and gentle nudges, Shineika felt called to accept. What felt random at the time was really divine alignment.

On the very first day of Clarendon orientation, in a small cohort of ten, our paths crossed. We were both student athletes, Nate with soccer and Shineika with track. Nate’s coach was strict, and he often could not attend full orientation sessions, which unintentionally became the beginning of our bond, two students trying to juggle demanding academic requirements with the intensity of athletics. Shineika naturally began to empathize with Nate’s situation and cared for him in small but meaningful ways.

Our cohort was required to take a class together. That classroom became the birthplace of our connection. We would engage in deep, passionate discussions about politics, Christianity, and the world. Those conversations were challenging, energizing, and transformative. By spring semester, we had become the best of friends. Our friendship was pure, strong, and completely unexplainable, something that felt more like purpose than coincidence.

During spring break of that year, we traveled to the Caribbean together. Nate challenged Shineika not to bring her bag of textbooks and instead be fully present on the island. It was there, surrounded by peace and warmth, that Shineika first allowed herself to imagine forever with someone. Not necessarily with Nate in that moment, but for the first time in her life she opened her heart to the possibility of love, partnership, and a shared future.

At some point, Shineika’s matron of honor and Nate’s groomsman created cohort couples for the group and paired Shineika and Nate together. Even though others saw a connection, we both immediately shut down the idea. We insisted that it was unacceptable and focused solely on being best friends.

It was not until junior year that Shineika stopped and wondered if their friendship could be something more. She spent time praying and fasting, and at one point, had a dream about Nate being someone for her in a romantic way. She freaked out and shut it down. Eventually, she reached out to Nate, convinced that the dream might mean he could feel the same way and that she needed to tell him it could never happen. When Nate followed up and asked, “What did you have to tell me?” Shineika responded, “Honestly, it’s complicated at this point.” Nate reassured her that it was okay to tell him, but Shineika couldn’t. He encouraged her, saying, “You’re my closest friend. You know you can be straight up with me,” but all Shineika could say was, “I’ll tell you another time.” Nate could not let it go and followed up again, assuring her he already knew what it was about, so she did not need to say it. Shineika chose to remain silent, scared that speaking it might make it true.

Through all of this, Shineika loved how they remained friends,  comfortable, supportive, and deeply invested in each other’s journey. They knew each other’s darkest secrets, struggles, strengths, and fears, all purely through friendship without anything else attached.
Throughout college, we built a foundation that God was quietly shaping into something much greater. We led an organization called Dear Neighbor together, focusing on racial reconciliation, and created and participated in a series called Cuffing Season on diverse relationships, unknowingly preparing for the life God was orchestrating for us.

We graduated and remained in touch, always caring and present in each other’s lives. What began as a divine coincidence became the foundation of a love rooted in purpose, friendship, and God’s gentle leading.