Derrick and Victoria officially met a high school basketball game. But, much before their official court-side meeting, a friend had been trying to introduce the two for a while. One night, during a game Victoria saw a man who she thought may be Derrick, she phoned a friend to describe the mystery guy, and sure enough it was him! She confidently approached him and introduced herself and just like the saying goes – all was fair in love and basketball.
That night, Derrick invited her over and the pair hit off immediately, sharing hours of great conversation. And later that week they went on their first movie date. But, in spite of the immediate connection, Victoria wasn’t 100% sold that Derrick would hold her attention for long. The next week, he invited Victoria to a home game and upon her arrival Derrick excitedly spotted her in the crowd. He gave her a short (but sweet) wave and according to Victoria, to this day, he still does the same.
Bride-To-Be: Victoria Watkins
Groom: Derrick Fears
Occupations: Derrick – Junior College Head Basketball Coach Victoria – Adjunct professor at Coahoma Community College & Mississippi Valley State University (her alma mater)
Wedding date: 11/19/2016
Wedding location: The Columns, Memphis, TN
Engagement session location: Venue on the Bayou, Downtown Indianola, MS
Tell us about the proposal!
Victoria: Derrick proposed on the 13th year anniversary of the day they met. November 21, 2015. He popped the question after attending a relative’s wedding. He got on one knee an asked. Of course, I said yes!
Describe your engagement session. Did you have a theme?
Victoria: Engagement session was awesome! We felt like we were on a date. It was cold! Derrick took his jacket of and we cuddled and hugged the entire time! Daesha (our photographer) made it even more enjoyable because she focused on us and the photos turned out great! If we had to say that our shoot had a theme, it would have to be “A Delta Love Story” in the home of Blues legend, Mr. B. B. King. The shoot concluded in my high school gym where it all began.
What did you do on your first date?
Dinner and a movie. We stayed at the movies for hours and must have refilled our popcorn 5 times! We went to Ruby Tuesday for dinner afterwards.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple? Movies and basketball games.
How has wedding planning been so far? Super exciting and tons of fun!
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day.
Seeing Derrick’s eyes light up as I walk down the aisle. I am ready to make my husband the luckiest guy in the world. We are also looking forward to enjoying family & friends who will be traveling from afar.
Vendors
Planner: Tonia L. Sims of TLS Weddings & Special Events, LLC
Photographer: Daesha Williams of Daesha Marie Photography
Photographer: Jerry Gilson Photography [gymnasium photos]
Makeup: Michelda Bradshaw
Hair Stylist: Tiffany Simpson
Congrats to you both! Beautiful story and photos