• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: When Two Become One

Kia stumbled across Leo’s photo on her best friend’s MySpace page and just had to learn more about him. She made the first move and he turned out to be the man of her dreams. Their romantic Chicago wedding was a real stunner. Share their love!
Bridal Bliss: When Two Become One
Miller + Miller
By Charli Penn · Updated October 28, 2020

Bride: Tekia Clemons, 31, Infectious Diseases and Nephrology Transplants

Groom: Leo Jenkins, 34, Ophthalmology

Married On: July 27, 2012

Ceremony Location: Rockefeller Memorial Chapel Chicago, IL

Reception Location: Hotel Sax Chicago

Wedding Style: Classic Meets Vintage

A Friend Of a Friend
Kia and Leo met online, and they have MySpace to thank for the hook up. One evening, years ago, while she was catching up with her best friend over the phone, Kia began scrolling through her friend’s MySpace friend list. She saw a cutie pie who instantly caught her eye, so she, of course, asked her friend who he was. “I went to high school with him,” she told Kia, who wanted more scoop. “She told me that he was a real gentleman and an overall nice guy,” says Kia.

Make The First Move
With a glowing recommendation she could trust, Kia patiently waited a week and then decided to make the first move. She nervously typed him a message that read, “Hi!” Afraid she hadn’t said enough, Kia was surprised when Leo immediately responded with a polite “hello.” She admitted that she was drawn to his photo and that they shared a mutual friend. After chatting for weeks online, Kia and Leo exchanged information and she asked him out on a date. On their first date, he pulled up with a dozen roses just for her. Even though she admited she wasn’t a big fan of roses, she wound up being his biggest fan by the end of the night. They learned that they had tons in common – including daughters who were similar in age. Even though Kia was hesitant to move forward with Leo because she had just ended a relationship, she couldn’t deny their attraction. Three months later they made it official.

When You Least Expect It
It was Christmas Day and Kia thought for sure that Leo was going to propose. She opened all her gifts and there was no ring box. She was only a little disappointed, so she continued to hold out hope that he would pop the question later on that day. The rest of the day wound up being a total disaster. Her car broke down, she had to get it towed and nothing went as planned. The next morning, she took the down Christmas tree with a sad face. She was angry with herself for getting all worked up about a Christmas proposal and then being so disappointed that it hadn’t happened. That night when she went to bed, she found a little ring box waiting for her on her pillow. Leo had fooled her well. She was over the moon with excitement and immediately began calling her close friends and family to share the news. Their summer wedding in Chicago was the perfect combination of style and vintage charm. Share their love!

Photos: Miller + Miller

COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now