Demond Marshall and Tanya Turner met while in college in 1992. Demond's best friend was a roommate with one of Tanya's teammates from track and they met at one of the many parties they had.
Demond and Tanya dated for a few months but broke up and Tanya went to the military for 10 years, they were to be reunited in 2007 after Demond found Tanya on MySpace.com and they were instantly back on track after such a longtime. Not even knowing where the other was they soon realized they had been living less than 15 miles away from each other.
They have two beautiful daughters Kayla and Niya.
First Impressions
My first impression of Demond was he was cocky but confident, he had been awarded a scholarship to go play football at LSU and of course he thought a lot of himself. In his words I brought him back down to reality, because I too was an athlete and didn’t mind telling him off (LOL). He was a gentleman though and once I got to know him I saw the southern hospitality he had and couldn’t resist.
The 'One'
I believe there is someone there for you, like a soul mate.I have had many relationships with people that I thought were meant for me blindly looking for what I wanted this person to be not who they really were.
When I met my husband I didn't have to look it was staring me in the face. I can be difficult to deal with at times but he had a way of cracking the exterior of me and getting to the heart of the matter and it flowed without too much interferance.
I knew he was the one when I came home from work one day and he had cleaned the entire house top to bottom and cooked dinner!! He was a keeper!
A Dance to Remember; The Proposal
We had plans to go to a Valentine’s Day Ball and he was all nervous and rushing me, he kept telling me to make sure I was comfortable because he wanted to dance all night. After we arrived I found out he had reserved a table for us with some of family and friends who were attending which was great.
We had plans to go to a Valentine’s Day Ball and he was all nervous and rushing me, he kept telling me to make sure I was comfortable because he wanted to dance all night. After we arrived I found out he had reserved a table for us with some of family and friends who were attending which was great.
A few hours into the night the DJ announced there was something special about to happen and called for everyone’s attention. I looked around for him and I didn’t see him but all of a sudden I heard “our song” which was Prince’s “Adore”, and I got excited and mad because he wasn’t’ sitting with me but then I heard his voice.
He was on the microphone and he was proclaiming to everyone that he had been through so many things and never thought he’d want to get married it wasn’t for him but he had found someone who he felt was created just for him! I was done!! He walked over to me and got on one knee and he asked me to marry him in front of everyone! I couldn’t stop crying I was stunned! In between sobs I said yes and he stood me up and we danced to “Adore” and everyone clapped while we danced!! Amazing!
He was on the microphone and he was proclaiming to everyone that he had been through so many things and never thought he’d want to get married it wasn’t for him but he had found someone who he felt was created just for him! I was done!! He walked over to me and got on one knee and he asked me to marry him in front of everyone! I couldn’t stop crying I was stunned! In between sobs I said yes and he stood me up and we danced to “Adore” and everyone clapped while we danced!! Amazing!
'I Do'; Miami Meets Dirty South
Table Centre piece
Our wedding was on September 12, 2009 on Demond's birthday; so it was more than a wedding it was a celebration. We were married at my home church Macedonia Baptist Church in Hammond, LA. The theme was “Miami Meets the Dirty South”, we love Louisiana and all its uniqueness. The colors were Turquoise, Red, Chocolate, and Champagne with gold accents and crystal decor with peacocks as trim.
Getting Ready
Here comes the bride; Tanya wore a Sottero &Midgley couture gown; a beautiful Ivory blush with a champagne overlay.
Married!
Stunning bridesmaids
The maids of honour; Kayla and Nayla in Champagne dresses carrying the rings in Faberge ring style holders and Tanya's sister in the middle.
The toastMarriage 101
I can say marriage is a daily workout, mentally and physically. It tests limits you didn't know you had and also gives you a sense of security you didn't know could exist. It's peaceful yet boistrious at the same time. 
I have learned "patience". I didn't have much before and was quick to jumpt to judegement, now I am more able to handle those situations because my husband has taught me how to be patient and to wait on the TRUE outcome. I must say it has eased my tensions more.
So far marriage has proven to be a blessing and a 24 hour job. It takes compromise and understanding. If you don’t have understanding you won’t make it. You have to put away the 'I’s' and always remember the 'We’s'. Marriage is an institution of love and desire as well as selflessness and dedication.
Marriage has taught me patience and perseverance. There are many things that I never thought I’d do and find myself doing without question now. A good marriage is one were communication plays a great role and understanding the other person’s right to have an opinion not always like yours and accepting them for who they are not who you want them to be.
Mountains To Climb
First dance
Both Demond and I have said the biggest challenge has been letting go of our independence and trusting that the other would be there for us. We both come from very different backgrounds and we both had our own ideas of how things should be from which way the tissue was put on the holder to how the household income should be managed. It was a challenge to let go of what we had been doing for so long in order to learn to do it together.
Please don't stop the music!
Words of Wisdom
To the Single Lady;
My advice is to be patient and open, there is no perfect man but there is a perfect man for you. It’s not always about what they have but what they aspire to be can be a great journey to take with them. Don’t look for the material things but be patient and open enough to see the good in a man. Sometimes it’s the ones you least expect who become the most devoted and loyal husbands. Always be honest with yourself and don’t’ try to be someone you’re not just to get a man because it will come a day when you’ll have to be yourself.
To the Married Woman;
Trust in God and keep Him as the third cord in your tight rope. Stay open and flexiable to the others emotions and no matter how much it may hurt be HONEST!!! Communication is the number one key to keeping a marriage together, you can shower them with gifts and things but a persons word is stronger than anything and if you talk about it you can work it out.
Trust in God and keep Him as the third cord in your tight rope. Stay open and flexiable to the others emotions and no matter how much it may hurt be HONEST!!! Communication is the number one key to keeping a marriage together, you can shower them with gifts and things but a persons word is stronger than anything and if you talk about it you can work it out.
Simplicity with Flare
The Marshall's currently own a bridal decor and event planning business. They both recently made major steps in their lives. Demond recenlty became a Mason in Precious Jewel Lodge #108 and Tanya recently began her journey as an Eastern Star.
The Marshall's currently own a bridal decor and event planning business. They both recently made major steps in their lives. Demond recenlty became a Mason in Precious Jewel Lodge #108 and Tanya recently began her journey as an Eastern Star.
We wish them God's blessings and favour in their marriage.
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Beautiful couple and the wedding looked great too.
Lovely story and very enchanting wedding pics!way to go!
Your blog is very inspiring,keep up the good work and this love story is lovely!
This bride is totally gorgeous x I love the dress! Love the words of wisdom too.