Marriage??   Me??    Nah!!
 

If you ask any of my longtime friends, they would all have one consensus... Drake is the perennial bachelor... he will NEVER get married! I was actually starting to believe the hype myself. I've had a few near misses, one more devastating than the next. I almost got married in 1999. I had proposed New Year's eve to a woman I was madly in love with. Trouble was, she wasn't madly in love with me! Looking back on it, I think I was more of a security blanket to her. We had just relocated to New Jersey from Cali, didn't know anyone there, and I really don't think she was ready to be a step-mom.  She loved my kids, and they loved her, but I don't think she was ready for the responsibility. Thank God she flaked... I almost missed two of the biggest blessings of my life!

After moving to Atlanta for a job, I met an absolutely wonderful person, to whom I owe my spiritual life. Mrs. Tanya (Holloway)Monts, where ever you are, THANK YOU.... you'll never know just how important you are to me! You picked me up out of the dust and showed me how to love again. For that I will forever be in your debt. You prepared me for the One...
Anyway, after returning to LA, I placed a simple ad in Yahoo Personals, looking for friends... you know, nothing serious. I was still tending to my wounded heart, so I was not ready to just dive in head first. I titled the ad "Looking for the right one". I got more than a few responses, some of which have turned into great, lasting friendships. One of those responses, however, stood out. I don't know why. There was no picture attached... nothing provocative said. I was puzzled, because it seemed that it just demanded my attention. I responded, and asked for a picture. She sent one, small and blurry (on purpose, she told me later..), and I gave her my web address (for my pics). I didn't want to be misleading at all. After a few conversations, we decided to meet.

I suggested the beach... it's my favorite place on earth. I figured a public spot would be good for the both of us. Near the beach was a 7-11 with a payphone. She called my cell as I was pulling into the parking lot. When I realized it was her at the phone, I was simply blown away! Physically, she was perfect! Tall, shapely, killer eyes, and absolutely perfect lips! As soon as she saw me and smiled, I was in love. The "inner" me was like "What?!? Nah, dawg... no way this is going down like this! Check yourself, Player... get a grip! You can't go out like that... remember what happened last time!" I was so taken by this woman, I had to go into 7-11 to get some gum and juice to try to hide my excitement!

After a nice long walk on the beach with endless conversation, I knew she was the one for me. How did it all turn out? Well, we married a year to the day of that faithful encounter, and she is more beautiful, and more perfect than I could have ever imagined! I mean, we have our differences, but I would not trade her for anything, or anyone! Oh, another kicker. With her 3 girls, I now have 8... count them... 8 daughters! One married, 7 more to go! One lifelong bachelor blown completely out of the game! I had to put my Player card in the shredder. And the great thing about it is, I couldn't be happier! Well, see for yourself!

Me and my Mrs... right after we tied the knot! Since we met at the beach, and both love the beach, we decided to get married at of all places....  the beach! Who would've guessed? We were married on the beach in Santa Barbara, a beautiful city just north of Los Angeles. We wanted to include the children, but just couldn't pull it off because logistics and timing. So instead, it was just the two of us, very private and romantic. We did however, get a loud applause from a group of folks having a gathering at the beach's park area! Click here to see a photo album of other wedding pictures!

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