LaShonna Holloway (255) and Bryan Johnson (255)
“Bryan and I met in 1992 during our freshman year (class of 255!!). The first time we met, we locked eyes in the hallway and that was the moment where our souls connected. Naturally, we wanted to get to know each other better. One day after gym class, Bryan and I stayed behind to sit on the bleachers to talk. I’m sure we both missed our next class or two. We both remember it being an amazing conversation and at the end Bryan gave me his gold chain to wear. Later that day Bryan met me outside of my math class and I thought that was sweet of him but it was to frantically ask for his chain back because he knew it was fake and feared it would turn my neck green. After that, he figured this was the reason why I decided not to follow through with the courtship. Little did he know, I thought he was trying to “score a touchdown” way too quickly.
Over the years we maintained our friendship, keeping up with each other’s successes and accomplishments even as life led Bryan to Illinois and me to New York City. 27 years later, the timing was right for our souls to reconnect as it had in 1992. We were both visiting Philadelphia for Labor Day weekend and attended a gathering at a mutual friend’s home. I arrived first, enjoying the brief moment to catch up with long-time friends. Bryan arrived later on that evening and it was a pleasant shock to me because I had forgotten that he would even be there. As Bryan would tell it, when he walked in, I was the first person that he saw and it immediately hit him that I was “the one”. Eventually the night was over and we both parted ways as we’ve done so many times in the past, but this time things were different.
One week later, while Bryan was contemplating this new feeling and his next move, I was also feeling the same and was compelled to reach out instead of relying on chance and circumstance bringing us back together. The conversation revealed that through our growth and journeys in life, there still remained an undeniable connection and a strong compatibility that was worth exploring. Frequent trips to New York solidified our bond and it became very clear that we wanted to share the rest of our lives together and finish what was started so many years ago. During one particular visit to New York, Bryan planned a wonderful dinner, paired with a visit to the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. I could tell that he was nervous about something. Surrounded by thousands of holiday tourists, Bryan popped the question. Our love triumphed through the pandemic and we were able to say “I do” on April 10, 2021.”
—LaShonna Holloway-Johnson (255) and Bryan Johnson (255)
