Love Story: 19-Year Marriage, Unique Journey

0:00It's March 18th, here's your Birmingham news in two minutes. Nicole and DeFellas Duma have shared a strong marriage since June 19th, 2003. They first crossed paths in high school during one of the rare parties his strict mom permitted. Her 10th grade class met his 11th graders and his unusual name caught her attention right away. When a slow song played at another gathering, they danced, and he scribbled her number on a borrowed dollar bill since no paper was handy. They quickly became a couple, enjoying sofa dates where parents met and their junior prom in formal wear. Even after he headed to the University of Alabama at Huntsville and she finished school in Nashville, they stayed close with long phone calls and visits. Faith played a big role, helping them hold off on intimacy until marriage. Friends and family treated them my kin from the start, despite some raised eyebrows over their youth. His brother even recalled her kicking him in a mix-up early on. They promised each other during college years, proving their bond through distance and

1:00busy schedules like her dance classes and his sports. Their wedding at a Birmingham church drew 500 guests on a rainy Thursday, complete with a huge bridal party and a weekday reception at the Harvard Center. They skipped the honeymoon to build a new house instead, marking quick milestones like graduation and home ownership. Today Nicole teaches advanced physics at Ramsay High School, while DeFellas serves a senior pastor, works in health, deputies for the sheriff, and refs games. With kids age 19, 17, and 11, they stress fundates, understanding challenges, and tuning out mismatched advice to keep their unique, love-driving. The Daily News Now is presented by our sponsor, linked in the description. You know what is better than earbuds in bed? No earbuds at all. S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com