It was on July 3rd 2005, when I left home to start a new life in Tampa Florida. Since then, July 3rd has always been my own personal Independence Day. And since today marks the 20th anniversary of my leaving the nest…I thought I’d post some reflection.
If I could go back twenty years and talk to my 18-year-old self, what would I tell him? What would I tell that jeri-curled, 310-pound big black guy with no sense of fashion, no experience, barely any knowledge of the world, and yet filled inexplicably with uncanny optimism and determination.
Allow me to conclude this 9-Part Online Dating series by passing down the main lessons I learned to find a beautiful down-to-earth Christian wife after failing in my two priors stints.
In my previous parts, I explained why a man like me had no choice but to go back to the dating apps because the culture ruined the old-school ways in which Men Approached Women. I explained why Dating Apps won’t work for most people, primarily because of egos and an overinflated sense of value.
I explained how I “changed up my strategy” by being my authentic self instead of relying too heavily on Red Pill advice that’s designed to attract the wrong kind of woman. I revealed which Dating Apps gave me the best chances. I divulged my failed matches and how it didn’t work out with some beautiful prospects.
And lastly, I talked about how I attracted and recognized my wife when I found her. It didn’t take years to figure out she was “the one”. It took courage to be open and honest with her, which allowed her to demonstrate the qualities I was looking for in a wife.
So, as I wrap up this series about Online Dating, I just wanted to hit on a few key points to pass down if you were my sister or brother and you’re still looking for a loving, devoted spouse.
On April 5, 2025, I got married to a woman who I met through the Dating Apps. And at the wedding, one of her invites, a father-figure who I now call, “Mr. Ribs,” kept telling me, “You know what, young man! You found a good wife. And the Bible says, he who finds a good wife, found a good thing and favor with the lord.”
He said this, not once, but about three times…As if I didn’t know. As if I wasn’t already fully aware that I am blessed and found that rare Proverbs 31 woman…as if, it wasn’t until he pointed it out, that I went, “Oh my god…you’re right!”
No, no, no, ladies and gentlemen. I’m not a “throw caution to the wind” kind of guy. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to get with many woman over my 38 years of life, but I chose Julia. Why? Because I recognized she was “wife material”. Allow me to explain…
On April 12, 2025, my new wife and I took to the Sphere in Las Vegas to check out Darren Aronofsky’s film, “Postcard from Earth.” My friends…this film was so BAD that I had no problems throwing away the $200 bucks I already paid for the tickets and just walked out.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Hang on, Rock. You left early. So, how can you say the film is terrible?”
Thing is, we weren’t the only ones. Lol, almost true the Scriptures about the “faithful remnant,” there were a few people leaving too. One couple, an older white pair, saw that we had the same facial expression and the husband said, “I saw all I needed to see.”
Before I went to Vegas, I did a whole bunch of research that kind of robbed me of the magic of being surprised by what I experienced. But no matter how many pictures I saw, nothing could prepare me for the sensation of standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Let me start by saying I’m a firm believer in the notion of, “the only one you can control is yourself.”
That being said, I’m aware that it is possible to get people to feel/think/do what you want them to by game, influence, and manipulation. It is possible to convince others to love you, prioritize you, or to like you. If I wanted to, I could do all of this. And yet, I refuse.
If you were to ask me why, I don’t ever think I could respect people like that. It’s like those clips where a guy walks up to a woman, tries to talk to her, she blows him off like he’s no big deal until she sees that he’s driving a Maserati. Then, all the sudden, she hurries over to get his attention. Now, all the sudden she’s interested.
In 2019, a woman named Hannah Brown made headlines while starring as the “Bachelorette”…where she proudly proclaimed, “I’ve have had sex and honestly, Jesus still loves me.“
Fair enough. Jesus still loves you. Sure. Sure. Now ask yourself…do you think he’s happy with you? Do you think he’s happy with what you’ve done? Do you care? Is that important to you? Because talk is cheap. What do your actions demonstrate?
Last night, I went to dinner with the leader of the church group under the pretense that he wanted to discuss a question I asked. Things didn’t go so great…
Allow me to begin by laying out the sentiments of Romans Chapter 14. If you read that chapter, the jest of it is how Christians shouldn’t be quarreling over these differences of opinions when it comes to our faith or belief.
Verse 13 says, “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”
What I love about that chapter is that 1) it takes the pressure off of you stronger Christians when it comes to trying so hard to make another Christian believe the way you believe. And 2) it should reduce/eliminate arguments between us as humans since the main person we need to answer to is God.
I had to take a moment to say “thank you” to an author who truly inspired me to start writing when I was a teenager. Until I read “Kill the Shogun” by Dale Furutani…I never thought it was possible to write fight choreography.
When most people think of books, they usually think of the typical school classics. Hemingway, Dickens, Harper Lee, and Shakespeare. I remember having to read “Old Yeller” and “Charlotte’s Web” and “Moby Dick” and honestly…I didn’t enjoy them.
I liked the premise of the stories, but to actually have to read through the pages, it felt like work more so than entertainment. But when I was fifteen, a freshman in high school…I don’t remember how I stumbled onto “Kill the Shogun” by Dale Furutani. But I can tell you it definitely changed my life.
You see, ever since I was a kid, it’s like I was born for combat. Don’t get me wrong, I never liked hurting people. But martial arts and all skilled systems of fighting just spoke to me. From the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, to the Power Rangers, and Street Fighter…when I saw the moves, I was captivated and entranced.
I wasn’t a fan of gore and blood, but the choreography of it. I thought it was amazing, no different from a synchronized dance from Michael Jackson or crew of break dancers.
Last week, I flew to Colorado to attend my cousin’s graduation. With God on our side, it was definitely one for the books. And honestly…just what I needed.
Ever since she was a baby, my little cousin Allyssa has always been one of the most cherished persons in my life. Sometimes, I don’t even like to refer to her as my “cousin” because she’s something much more.
Stage In The Sky 