Achieving the “American dream”, finding your one true love and then sweeping her off her feet with a surprise proposal at The White House – sounds like the perfect plot from a movie. But this is no movie, its reality. Just ask Orlando Morel.
The now U.S Coast Guard, navel-engineer began his life in the United States under humble beginnings as a refugee. In 1994, Orlando fled Haiti for the States, traveling with his mother and serval others. While many of the travelers didn’t survive the taxing journey, Orlando and his mother did – thanks to an unnamed Coast Guard that rescued them.
Later, after loosing his mother to cancer, Orlando was adopted and raised by the nurse that cared for her. Once in high school, he aspired to pursue a career in the Coast Guard’s, so that he could rescue other refugees as he’d once been rescued. Upon his 2012 graduation from the U.S. army branch, various news outlets covered Orlando’s all-conquering story. So what was missing from his fairy-tale narrative? His Cinderella of course.
And that didn’t come until 2015, when Orlando met Shameeka Edwards, during a chance encounter at an on-base snack shop. Shameeka, a former Air Force National Guard, turned government contract specialist, who switched careers after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2009.
Their casual encounter led to a friendship that eventually blossomed into relationship as the two bonded over their shared triumphs over tragedy. Orlando over his survival and success as a former refugee, Shameeka over her survival of thyroid cancer, rape and sexual assault. Orlando knew he’d met his soulmate.
After a whirlwind romance, he began prepping for thee proposal of a lifetime. One fit to sweep his Cinderella off her feet. He began by driving from Washington D.C. to Shameeka’s native, New Orleans to seek advice and her family’s blessing. He then mapped out the logistics and coordinated with his photographer, and our celebrated coterie member, Nafa Ribeiro of Judah Avenue Photography, to document this magical moment.
The once refuge that found prosperity in the U.S., felt that the White House served as the ultimate symbol of his personal culmination of the American Dream. During his time as a White House social aide, he became well-versed on the in’s and out’s of the President’s Palace. So he planned his surprise proposal in its covenant Blue Room.
Once Orlando got down on one knee, Shameeka’s eyes grew with excitement. He asked for her hand in marriage and without a doubt, she thankfully said yes. “I was in shock. Orlando not only says that he loves me, but he shows me as well. The time and effort he put in to make sure the most important people in my life were there to share this moment with us was remarkable. For that I’m grateful.” shares Shameeka.
Now, with Shameeka by his side, life, liberty, love and the pursuit of happiness are the new foundations of Orlando’s American dream. The pair are currently looking forward to planning their big-day and we can’t wait to see their fabulous wedding photos!
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