From “I See the Passion” to “Forever”
From “I See the Passion” to “Forever”
Some love stories begin long before either person realizes it. For Melissa and Joe, the first chapter started in 2013 when they crossed paths and fell into easy, flirty conversation. The bar was packed and the music was loud, but they were in their own little world, tuned in to each other, talking about their goals and visions for the future. Joe shared about his real estate ambitions and the oil company he was building at the time, and when Melissa talked about her own dreams, Joe looked at her and said, “I see the passion.” That simple line stuck with her. For years after, Melissa would repeat it. A little piece of Joe’s voice that had stayed with her even when life pulled them in different directions. Although their paths went separate ways, they stayed in touch as good friends, always supportive of each other’s goals. Melissa would check in on Joe from time to time, and he would do the same for her.
On August 8, 2022, Joe called Melissa — what she thought would be just a light check-in little flirty vibe. Instead, he asked if she was dating anyone seriously. Melissa told him “No not right now” and, in true Melissa fashion, added, “I won’t be in Philly long though, I’m moving to Texas.” Days later, he invited her out to a birthday gathering. She couldn’t make it that night because she already had plans with her girlfriend, but the next day he told her he was going to pop up on her and he did just that, arriving at her brunch spot with a friend. Melissa had already finished eating when Joe was on his way, but when he texted that he was only five minutes out, she turned back around to wait for him. When he arrived, they laughed, enjoyed each other’s company. After the brunch Melissa’s girlfriend called her and said, “Watch… that’s going to be the one you fall for.”
On September 2, 2022, they went on their first official date to Topgolf. When Melissa arrived at Joe’s house, he surprised her by wearing a shirt with her face printed on it. Before they even left, Joe asked a friend to take their picture, saying, “We’re going to show this to our kids one day.” He even remembered her favorite candy, Sour Patch Kids, from a random conversation they’d had, and brought it along for her. That night, their favorite song became Rick Ross’s “Turnpike Ike.” “Tell ’em how you livin’, baby — 20 houses, 15 cars…” Joe and Melissa would rap, and they laughed in the car all night about that line. The whole date was pure vibes, great energy, easy conversation, and laughter that never stopped.
In November 2022, Melissa watched Joe prepare for his annual giveback campaign in Southwest Philadelphia. She couldn’t join him until later that night to celebrate, but seeing his commitment to giving back showed her just how big his heart was and reminded her of one of the things she had prayed for. On her vision board, Melissa had written that she wanted God to bring her a loving and caring man with strong faith with a bigger vision than hers, someone that she felt could be a great leader but also a man of good character.
Joe embodied everything that Melissa prayed for. She loved that he was family-oriented and had a big heart, and also very romantic. Joe’s attention to detail in the romance dept was top tier and she loved how he went out his way to put a smile on her face, that paired with his masculine energy allowed her to truly live in her femininity.
He never tried to dim her light or make her shrink; instead, he encouraged her to dream bigger, be her authentic self, and show up fully. Whether in heels, with big hair, full glam, or no makeup at all. With Joe, Melissa felt seen, safe, and cherished, and that made her really fall in love with Joe.
By the time Joe asked Melissa to be his girlfriend, he already knew she was the one. They had been friends for a long time, and he had gotten to truly know her over the years. He admired that she was pretty, about her business, and carried herself with a softness and grace. In his words, she was “super feminine” and definitely “not a G-Unit soldier.” He loved the way she communicated with him, respected herself, and could stand on her own. Joe loved that Melissa was independent, but what he loved even more was that she was also interdependent, willing to build, share, and create a life together where both their strengths made them even stronger. Ironically, that very trait only made him want to take care of her even more. As their relationship grew, that knowing only deepened.
In December 2023, the couple traveled to Ghana, a journey that became a full-circle moment in their love story. Melissa had always asked Joe about his oil business since they reconnected, remembering the passion in his voice when he first spoke about it a decade earlier. While they were in the Ghana airport headed back to the U.S., a member of the Ghanaian Tourism Board was walking around asking American travelers questions. For some reason, he took a special interest in them, striking up a deeper conversation and asking Joe personal questions. When Joe began sharing about being a serial entrepreneur and the different ventures he’d worked on, the oil company was the one that stood out which sparked an unexpected opportunity. That brief exchange opened the door for Joe to reignite his business in the motherland. Melissa couldn’t have been prouder to see his vision come back to life and to stand by his side as he began growing it internationally.
On March 28, 2024, while in Paris for Melissa’s birthday, Joe proposed, sealing their love story in the City of Love before whisking her away to Italy to help her restart her shoe brand, a testament to his intentionality and unwavering support.
As their relationship grew, that knowing only deepened. Together, they have discovered how seamlessly they work as a team, especially in flipping real estate projects, where their shared vision and complementary strengths truly shine. Melissa finds the opportunities and serves as the realtor and creative visionary, while Joe takes the lead in construction. Over time, they’ve learned to excel in their unique roles, Melissa following Joe’s lead in building, Joe trusting Melissa’s expertise in sales, allowing each other to shine in their respective strengths. As Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.”
Now, Melissa and Joe are creating a legacy of love they believe was written long before they met. It’s a story built on faith, fueled by shared dreams, and anchored in the deep respect they have for one another. Together, they’re not only building a marriage, but also a life filled with purpose, joy, and unwavering commitment, a love meant to inspire and endure for generations to come.
