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Home • Love & Sex

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael

Terri-Nicole and Michael met in their high school hallway, and they've been inseparable ever since. Nine years later, they're all grown up and ready to take their love story to the next level.
By Myeisha Essex · Updated October 28, 2020
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01
High School Sweethearts

Terri-Nicole, 26, said she wasn’t looking for love when she met her high school sweetheart, Michael, 26. “I was getting ready to leave for college in a few months so dating someone new was the furthest thing in my mind,” she says. But after their friendship blossomed into love, she knew she’d found her soulmate. 

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
02
Just the Two of Us

“Not only does he love God, but he also respects his parents, loves his family and works really hard,” Terri-Nicole says of her future husband. “He truly puts me first and respects me and I couldn’t be any luckier.”

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
03
Real Love

When they are finally husband and wife, Terri-Nicole says she can’t wait to see Michael every day.

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
04
Match Made in Heaven

“I think he chose to marry me because we are best friends; we can truly be ourselves, we can always talk about we what we need from each other, whether it be good or bad, and he loves that I will compromise,” says Terri-Nicole.

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
05
Sweet Kisses

Terri-Nicole says the sexiest part of Michael’s body, second to his heart, are his lips.

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
06
May I Have Your Blessing

The bride-to-be says her parents are proud she chose such a great man to start her life with. It’s true — he really sounds likes a keeper!

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
07
Lovers and Friends

“We were friends for a while before we started to date. My friends said that I was oblivious to his affection towards me,” Terri-Nicole says. “So I guess without realizing it, I did play hard to get.”

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
08
Dance Fever

Terri-Nicole says she and Michael can’t wait to show off their Soul Train dance moves at their wedding. “You never know when an impromptu Soul Train line might start,” she says. We can already tell their big day is going to be a blast.

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
09
One of a Kind

Terri-Nicole’s engagement ring has a radiant cut diamond with a pave diamond setting. “We went ring shopping and he designed the ring after a few other rings I saw,” she says. “He took the best features of them all.”

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
10
City Memories

The bride-to-be says her most embarrassing date with Michael was the time she ripped her leather pants. “Mike had just moved back to New York from Atlanta and we were going out for a night on the town. I thought since we hadn’t seen each other in 3 months I wanted to dress extra sexy for him,” she says. “I wore leather pants, thinking ‘Yes, work it girl!’ But later in the evening, I dropped my gloss, and unbeknownst to me, my pants had torn!”

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
11
Share Our Joy

Terri-Nicole says her wedding colors will be smokey grey, nude and peach. The couple is going for a glamorous vintage feel. We see their vision.

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
12
To Have and To Hold

Terri-Nicole says her best gift from Michael was a ticket to Atlanta to visit him during college. “Since then he has bought me jewelry and we have taken nice trips. But this gift stood out because now I know that whatever our future holds, he will always do whatever it takes to make sure I’m happy.”

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius
13
A Good Man

Leave your well wishes for lovebirds Terri-Nicole and Michael below and share the love. Want to see your engagement photos featured on ESSENCE.com? Email us now!

Just Engaged: Terri-Nicole and Michael
Travis Levius