It was the soulful 70’s, when destiny began Dave Ponder’s and Sharon Shelton’s, love story… There was an atmosphere of Black Pride at a time where revolution, and civil rights were everyday conversation…

As integration began to make its way through segregation, James Brown and Aretha Franklin were taking over radio stations, afros and Black fists demanded RESPECT and elevation, and in the midst of this, began their relationship…

Dave:

I remember the first time I saw her, she appeared as I was gazing through a courtyard window overlooking the school grounds; and I thought to myself  “wow” as my heart began to pound against my chest…

If love at first sight was possible, I was feeling it in that moment; she was the epitome of perfection… Her style and the way she wore her afro, with the braids in the front, made an impression on me and I vowed to some how meet the object of my affection…

I had to let her know that she was my selection, and that there was no one else for me…
The next school year we rode the same bus, and sometimes shared a seat; and I was lucky enough to have her in one class with me…

Whenever I saw her, I took the opportunity to leave an impression, hoping she would notice me…

Sharon:

I remember the first time I saw him, boarding the school bus, looking for a seat. I liked the way he was dressed, he appeared clean cut and neat, I was pleasantly surprised when he smiled and sat in my seat, he introduced himself and asked about me…

I began noticing him, in class or passing by then destiny brought us together when I entered the pageant for Ms. Seabreeze High; I needed an artist for a set I wanted designed. He came highly recommended by an art teacher…

We met again for the second time, as I watched him create the back ground; I couldn’t believe my eyes his talent was amazing, and his creativity inspired me as we explored and shared ideas,
and talked about almost everything…

I enjoyed his company and listening, it felt as if we were a team, and while our project was coming together, so were we…

Dave:

I felt like God had blessed me with the opportunity to show my talents, I couldn’t believe I was chosen, to create her set for the pageant, so I gave my best effort, and we became acquainted along the way…

I was proud of what we accomplished, and hoped what we were feeling didn’t ever go away… It seemed like fate had plans because not long after the project was complete, we happened to meet at a formal dance and was given a chance to express ourselves romantically…

We were inseparable, as if the event was empty, and we swung the night away, until the last record stopped spinning…

Sharon:

After the dance I realized that my feelings for him were growing, there was no pressure or chasing, our relationship developed slowly, we saw each other here and there, becoming closely tied, then one day he missed his school bus, and asked if I could give him a ride…

That ride became many, and we became the best of friends; we enjoyed each others company, and would talk without end, I always looked forward, to spending time with him… Then one early morning, after walking me to class, we stood face to face, holding intimate eye contact, and we kissed as the sun was rising…

And it was then that I knew that he was the one for me and the love I felt was true; we were nearing the end of school and this was our senior year, he’d been accepted to Morehouse, and soon I would not have him here, so I had to let him know…

The way he made me feel when he asked me to sign his yearbook, everything I felt was revealed before I knew it, I’d filled 3 pages, with all I wanted to say, we promised to keep in touch, and never let our love fade away…

Dave:

During my time away at college, we talked almost everyday, the distance seemed to bring us closer, instead of pushing us away… I knew in my heart, I’d never again feel this way, so while I was visiting home for winter holidays break, I proposed on Christmas Eve, and we became engaged…

Dave Ponder II

August 2014