“From Homecoming to Forever”
our story
In 2008, Amanda returned to Virginia Union for Homecoming weekend while in graduate school. Gus recalls locking eyes with her during the festivities, feeling an instant energy, and wondering about the guy she was with. Amanda, however, barely noticed and didn’t think much of it—until Gus began regularly liking her pictures on social media and sliding into her DMs.
When Amanda’s previous relationship ended, the two began connecting more frequently through social media. Soon, Gus started making appearances in New York, where Amanda lived, under the guise of “missing the city.”
However, the timing just wasn’t right for them. Amanda admits she wasn’t ready to trust Gus, as he was still navigating his own path. Life circumstances and timing simply kept them on different trajectories.
Between 2012 and 2015, Gus and Amanda were in touch as friends, getting to know one another better.
His visits to New York became more focused on seeing her, and in 2017, he asked her out during one of those visits. Still, Amanda wasn’t in the right place—she was dating someone else and not ready to consider a relationship with Gus.
By 2016, Gus reconnected with Amanda, but this time he was more intentional.
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the two reconnected during a group trip to Washington, D.C. It was during this trip that Amanda’s friends, Gus’s friends, and particularly his best man, Kason, noticed the undeniable chemistry between them. According to Kason, Gus had “googly eyes” for Amanda the entire time.
Despite the missed opportunities, their friendship endured.
Gus in Virginia and Amanda in New York—made it difficult to sustain. Timing seemed against them once again, and Amanda decided to move on. Gus, however, never gave up hope, continuing to show up in small but meaningful ways, determined to let Amanda know how much she meant to him.
For a while, Gus and Amanda tried dating, but the challenges of long distance—
Gus reached out to Amanda, hoping to reconnect, but she let him know she was dating someone else. Gus later confessed that he felt like he had let the love of his life slip away.
That fall, they both returned to Virginia Union for Homecoming. At the Friday Welcome to Homecoming party, Gus seized the moment to pull Amanda aside and tell her how much he loved her. Amanda, ever lighthearted, smiled and told him, “Shut up,” adding, “You lost your chance, and this is not the place.”
In June 2022, they both found themselves in Charlotte for an event.
But what’s meant to be will always find its way.
Not long after, Amanda’s relationship ended, and Gus—seemingly knowing the exact moment—started showing up again, more determined than ever.
The turning point came when a mutual loss brought them together. At a service for a dear friend, Gus once again pulled Amanda aside and said, “I know this isn’t the time or place, but I need you to know that I love you.” Encouraged by her girlfriends and sorority sisters, Amanda decided to give him another chance.
Two weeks later, fate brought them together in Atlanta, where Gus took Amanda on a proper date.
From that moment, everything fell into place. Gus vowed never to lose Amanda again, and now, here they are, ready to celebrate their love with all of you.
Gus proposed to Amanda in the beautiful Los Cabos, Mexico and she said yes!!
