True love is unprejudiced. True love never fails. True love always wins.
Kaila met Missy four years ago at a local nightclub where Missy was performing as a Drag King. When their eyes met, it was love at first sight. And after two years of dating – the pair moved in together.
In May of 2015, during their visit to Florence Italy, Missy proposed to Kaila. The morning of, the couple were scheduled for a jaunt to Venice but missed their train and instead decided to soak in the last drops of Florence and make the most of their last night in Italy. Following dinner, Kaila glanced at her phone to set a reminder for their A.M. flight and to her surprise, when she looked up – Missy was on bended knee with a gorgeous engagement ring in hand. Next, Kaila’s tears of joy commenced while Missy uttered this;
“The greatest feeling in the world is to be in love with someone who loves you. The universe has blessed me with love from an amazing woman. A woman who has taught me so many things I didn’t know about myself. A woman who loves me unconditionally. A woman who feeds my mind and my soul. A woman who taught me how to live unapologetically. A woman who supports everything that I do. The moment I started this journey of love with you I knew you were the one. I want you to be my one and only. I have decided there is no better or more romantic place than Italy to ask the woman of my dreams to marry me. That woman is you. Will you marry me Kaila Adia Story?”
And Kaila, covered in a face full of joyful tears, replied “YAAAAASSSSSSS!!! Yes Yes of course!!!”. Simply beautiful.
Scroll on for more from Kaila, including her heartfelt commentary on her electrifying love for Missy, while viewing visuals from their Bohemian Blush & Gold wedding in Louisville, KY stunningly captured by Ann Blake Photography.
Couple: Dr. Kaila Adia Story & Schlondia “Missy” Jackson
Occupations: Kaila: Associate Professor & The Audre Lorde Endowed Chair in Race, Gender, Class, & Sexuality Studies in the Departments of Women’s & Gender Studies & Pan African Studies at the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY | Missy: Personal fitness trainer, Former National Entertainer of the Year, King (Drag King), & a Factory Worker
Wedding date: 04/09/2016
Wedding location: Noah’s Event Venue in Louisville, KY
Kaila on her love for Missy: “We feel like we grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically with one another everyday, and when we are in each other’s arms, we both feel immense power. Immense love. We love each other for all that we are, and all that we hope to be. We have found a love that not only sounds like love and feels like love, but looks like love. Our smiles, joy, and laughter is illuminated throughout all of the captured moments below.
When your love with your mate is an extraordinary adventure, like ours is, you’re happy to share this with the world. We are two black women, loving one another fiercely, unapologetically, and OUTLOUD, and we believe that this is not only beautiful, but a revolutionary act. In a world that would rather invent narratives about Black Lesbian Love, (stepped in stereotype, not illuminating its nuances, truths, and beauty),we share our love with you, to show that not only is Black Lesbian Love is possible, but necessary”
Describe your wedding dress! What was wedding shopping like for you?
My wedding dress was my absolute favorite! It had intricate beading in the bodice and the bottom looked like feathers to me. As soon as I saw the corset back, I knew it was the dress for me. I had an absolute ball picking out my gown as well as deciding what the wedding party was going to wear.
Quick Facts
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts: Pre-ceremony robes & ceremony/reception jewelry | Groomsmen: colorful socks.
Favorite item on the menu: I loved every item on our menu. We had food stations and our favorite was the slider bar which had Black-n-Bleu sliders and buffalo chicken sliders
First dance song: We did a Beyonce and Jay-Z compilation of “Clique”, “Diva”, and “Upgrade U”
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
We incorporated many cultures within our wedding. Black popular music culture with our first dance, as well as drag culture lip synching in our first dance. Our wedding was extremely diverse as well. There were about 260 attendees; young and old, straight, gay, and queer, black and white folks, etc.
What is your best memory from your
Our first dance! We did a Beyonce and Jay-Z compilation of “Clique”, “Diva”, and “Upgrade U”
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
Always remember when it comes to wedding planning to remember you and your beloved during the process. Don’t let the stress of planning of the wedding interfere with the love and devotion you have for one another.
Vendors
Photography: Ann Blake Photography
Florist: Boston’s Floral Couture
Minister: Reverend Al Herring
Bar Service: Michaelis Events (formerly the Louisville Catering Company) Catering: Upper Crust Catering
Cake: Sweet Surrender
Chocolate Fountain: The Louisville Chocolate Fountain
Disc Jockey: JohnQ
Vintage Rolls-Royce: Royal Transportation of Louisville / The Pepin Mansion
Videographer: Stephon Barbour, ImportantCool
Wedding Venue: Noah’s Event Venue
Oooooh, what a super fun card Donna!!! Totally cool how you made your own barugcoknd with the tie-dye look….I would have never thought of that!! You are just always so clever and creative!
I can’t stop looking at these photos! The love between the two of you is so evident in the way you look at one another and in the energy in the spaces between you. Everything is absolutely beautiful about the decor, venue, and attire. Everything is just Perfect. When my partner and I marry next year, I hope that we’re able to create those same feelings. You have inspired me!!
My fiance and I have been searching for this exact purple shade tux jacket and have consistently came up empty. our wedding is March 9th 2019 and we haven’t given up hope of finding this look for my fiance. Did you have to order this?