This post is part of the Black Love Role Models series
Happy February! I’m excited to kick off February and Black History Month with our annual Black Love Role Models Series! This week we feature one couple from the Chicago area! Randy (33) and Michelle Thames (30) were married on March 22, 2014. Let’s get to know them better here:
B.L.I.S.S.: How did you meet? Can you tell us more about your first moments getting to know each other?
MT: We met while attending Northern Illinois University. I worked at the local coffee shop and he would always stop by to chat with me. We ran into each other while I was attending graduate school at Governors State University and he sent me a Facebook message the day after we had saw each other after a very long time and the rest is history!
[bctt tweet=”We really got to know each other by telling each other our future goals and dreams.” username=”BLISS_BCS”]
We went on dates every single weekend when we started dating. We really got to know each other by telling each other our future goals and dreams. Randy is a very positive person and when we first started dating I was not. He has completely changed my life and my outlook on life.
“He has completely changed my life and my outlook on life.”
B.L.I.S.S.: What did you do to prepare for marriage while in your single stages in life?
MT: We went to pre-marital counseling and just really talked with each other about what we wanted in the relationship. We got to know each other for 5 years before getting married.
B.L.I.S.S.: What is one thing in marriage that singles need to know before they say “I do”?
MT: Know that you can still follow your dreams. Being married doesn’t mean that you have to stop everything and just be married. Support one another no matter what. Also keep your married business between the two of you!
“Know that you can still follow your dreams. Being married doesn’t mean that you have to stop everything and just be married.”
B.L.I.S.S.: What is a challenge that you see today that singles and even couples your age deal with when it comes to romantic relationships?
MT: Not putting in any effort and giving up too easily. There are so many young couples getting divorced. Marriage takes work and most couples are not willing to put in the work to keep marriages together.
B.L.I.S.S.: What is a great resource for married couples and those who want to be married to have in their lives?
MT: Websites like yours, and Black and Married with Kids. Online Facebook groups help a lot, GOD, and counseling.
B.L.I.S.S.: What is your take on Black Love? What does it mean to you?
MT: Love is love. Two people who love ourselves fully which allows us to love each other. The #Powercouple
B.L.I.S.S.: Michelle, how do you share Black Love through your platform, Happily Ever Natural?
MT: I share love through my platform by empowering women to be confident courageous and unique in every way. Connect with her blog here!
B.L.I.S.S.: Do you work together on your blog? And if so, how?
MT: My husband helps me with whatever I need help with. We also have a consulting business that we started together.
Randy and Michelle have a lovely daughter Riley! It’s a blessing to see a Millennial couple work together on their goals and seek to stay married. Don’t give up on your dreams, keep pursuing your God given purpose and connect with someone who will complement that and vice versa. Here’s to more #Powercouples in 2017!
Randy & Michelle Thames with their daughter Riley
Read about Michelle’s blog Happily Ever Natural and connect with her on social media:
Great interview and thanks for sharing your love story. Loved this quote, “Being married doesn’t mean that you have to stop everything and just be married.”
Thank you Lamar! This series is one of my favorites on the blog!
Thank you so much! I love you and your wife’s blog as well! I didn’t get a chance to chat with you all at Blogalicious last year but you two are pretty awesome ☺️
Great series and this was a great interview. Beautiful family and they offer great insight through their responses. I loved reading it!
Thank you Martine!! I love profiling couples!
This was a great article! Wonderful couple! I just kept smiling while reading…..gives so much hope! #istillbelieveinlove
This is such a great series! This is such a great interview and I love their answers. “Love is love. Two people who love ourselves fully which allows us to love each other.”