A story in which it is clear that two people were destined to be together is always a juicy one. Cathy Morlu and Zam Ladson had not one or two but three wonderful opportunities to make their connection with each other.
Their engagement session was shot beautifully by M. Clay Photography in black & white and in color, and in light and in shadows-a great symbol of their love.
You see, Cathy and Zam met at Johnson C. Smith University during the summer of 2000 at Golden Bull Academy for their freshman orientation. Because they both placed out of intro classes, they met standing in line, one behind the other, to have their schedules revised. After standing in line for about an hour, they spoke briefly. Though they both agree that they were interested in each other then, they didn’t connect.
The next semester, there was another opportunity: a friend of theirs thought they’d be great together, but alas nothing came of that either! Why? The couple say, “We were two shy individuals so those opportunities didn’t always go as he planned…as time went on and we pursued our educational goals, we lost touch.”
Their story lends beautiful credence to the saying that what belongs to someone cannot be taken away. Because they belonged together, they got yet another chance, and this time, the third time really was the charm!
In 2007 in uptown Charlotte, a chance stop by Cathy at the Holiday Inn entrance to warm up reunited the couple.
“Just as we were warming up, Zam walks through the door with his friends. I screamed and ran to give Zam the biggest hug ever. It was one of those hugs where no one wants to let go! We were both excited to see each other and knew we had been given a second chance so we exchanged numbers to keep in touch!” -Cathy
After several months of trying to hang out made difficult by busy lives, they finally had their first date: the classic dinner and a movie. Though still busy, Zam knew that he had to tell Cathy how he felt. So, before a trip to her home country Liberia, Zam told her how he felt. Upon her return, their romance was kindled.
The proposal……
“I received a 7am phone call from my mom’s friend informing me my mom and little brother missed their flight to Charlotte and she left her cell phone at home. I was also told that my mom would contact me once they receive their flight information. Of course I couldn’t fall back asleep because I didn’t want to miss their call, concerned and wondering if we would arrive at my cousin’s baby shower in Atlanta on time. After an hour or two of waiting for my mom’s call I called her friend back…After another hour and no call from my mom, I got on the internet and verified whether they made the flight or if they were listed for another flight that day. The representative told me they made their original flight and should be deplaning as we spoke. So I got [more] concerned…After 30 minutes and no response, I got dressed and told Zam I was going to the airport to talk to the ticket agents face to face because I was not satisfied!
Zam tried to talk me out of going and asked me to relax. Me being who I am I decided to leave regardless. I drove 1 minute from the house and my mom calls FROM HER CELL PHONE saying they missed their flight and they would arrive by 4:30p…I [was finally] satisfied. I woke Zam up and gave him the update. [He]then suggested we go shopping, get something to eat then pick my mom and brother up from the airport…He suggested I wear purple (the color we both had on when we reunited during CIAA) because he was but I already had my mind made up on what I was wearing so I passed. He also suggested we eat at Olive Garden on Independence Blvd and I was thinking WHY when we have one by the house at Northlake Mall. We get in the car and Zam keeps revising [the day’s] plans…but all that’s on my mind is picking up my mom at 4:30p SHARP!
So we decided to head straight to Olive Garden to eat and all was normal until I noticed Zam was stalling to pay and get us out on time. My mom called right at 4:30p to tell me they’d just landed and will be at the gate soon. So at this point I’m ready to go! Zam walks over to the waitress, whispers something then leaves me at the table. After sitting there 5 minutes, I began calling his phone to find out what was going on. He never answered and I was going to pay and head to the car but Zam made me leave my entire wallet in the car. Another 5 minutes passed and I began to look around only to see a huge crowd of our close family and friends, including my mom, walking behind Zam approaching me. I still had no clue what was happening as I was too busy fussing at my mom and everyone who I had no clue was even in Charlotte. Zam helped me out of my chair and got down on one knee and all I heard was, “when a man finds a wife…” and I began crying like a baby on my mom’s shoulders (she was standing right next to me). With tearful eyes he opened the ring box and asked me to marry him and I shook my head and said yes. When I saw the ring I immediately dried my eyes, put it on myself and held it in the air as happy as ever!”
On the biggest challenge in planning the wedding…
“The biggest challenge planning our wedding has been incorporating the important aspects of Liberia, Charleston and overall American culture/traditions into our day. The culture/traditions we share separately and together are all so important to us that we don’t want to leave anything out so we’re trying to prioritize and ensure we have a nice flow of things.”-Cathy
On what they are most looking forward to on their wedding day…
“What we’re most looking forward to on our wedding day is sealing our union in front of God, family and friends together. Our journey to get to this day began almost 10 years ago so we’re just so excited to finally come together as one and begin our lives together as husband and wife.”
We hope Cathy and Zam’s wedding is as royally charmed as their meeting and romance have been. Many thanks to M. Clay Photography for the pictures. Be sure to head over to the blog to learn more about this fantastic photographer. Check out more engagement sessions here.
By Chioma Onyewuchi | Visit my blog | Follow me on twitter
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What a beautiful love story. Your poposal brought tears my eyes. Congrats and God bless.
Hello fellow Smithites!!!! I ‘m a 98’ graduate and I have to say that I am so happy for you two!! JCSU bringing people together is a beautiful thing! Love the chance encounter and wish you nothing but happiness and joy! GOD BLESS YOU TWO!