REAL WEDDING :: T. NICOLE + MIKE {NYC Kind of Love}

When I First Saw You.

Story by: Starlight Williams

The alumni network is more than just a way to keep connected and make connections. For Nicole, being the membership chair for Howard University’s alumni chapter in New York City, the network found her love. Nicole was attempting to have Mike join the Bison Roundup, and while he attended a meeting, he was more interested in getting drinks with her. They have been inseparable ever since.

Running late from work to meet with Mike at the clock in Grand Central Station, Nicole wasn’t expecting anything special when he asked if she would like dinner when she finally arrived. One second they were turning to leave, the next Mike was one knee professing his love.

Nicole couldn’t stop the tears of happiness from pouring as she said, “Yes!” After a one year and a day engagement, the couple had a true Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler bash in New Orleans. But a wedding would not be a wedding without a few bumps in the road. However, for Nicole and Mike, it seemed that the bumps would be more accurately described as potholes.

From Mike’s father being hospitalized to New Orleans changing its marriage license requirement that prevented them from collecting one, a few tears were shed and not all of them were happy. To add to the problem, Nicole’s parents missed their flight, but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise when it allowed them to overnight her the proper documentation to get their marriage license.

Unfortunately, not all their problems were solved because they were still unsure if Mike’s parents would be able to make it to the wedding. Good news, Mr. Massay was released in good health and they were on their way. Bad news, they missed their flight and while the couple was hesitant to do so, they had to continue the wedding day as planned. However, God was on Nicole’s side because right as she was about to walk down the aisle, Mike’s parents arrived wearing jeans and sneakers, hot off the plane.

Surviving the drama, the couple had a beautiful New Orleans’ style wedding surrounded by everyone they loved.

“I love that we chose New Orleans,” Nicole says. “Almost 100 of our friends and family, who could have been anywhere else in the world, chose to be with us. My heart is full just thinking about all the love we have in our lives.”

See Nicole and Mike’s feature in our 2016 Fall+Winter Print Edition below and click through the gallery above to see more photos.