Groom-to-be: Anslem Samuel, 34, Creator/Founder/Writer for Naked With Socks On
Wedding Date: January 14, 2012
The Write-Stuff
Even the best writers wouldn’t be able to recreate the love story that Anslem and Starr share. A modern day Brown Sugar tale, the pair started out as friends in early 2005. Although they’re both writers, back then Starr worked in PR, so she regularly pitched Anslem story ideas since he was working for a popular magazine. He would always be professional and pleasant, easy to talk to, and giving — all the things Starr enjoyed in a man. Their relationship remained professional for some time and innocent (Starr was seeing someone else at the time).
That is until one day, after meeting in person through a mutual friend, the work buddies quickly realized they felt real sparks between them. They kept in touch thanks to MySpace. When Starr realized her current boyfriend wasn’t worthy and should be her ex, she ditched him and became open to the idea of beginning a romance with Anslem.
The Perfect Date
For their first date Anslem took Starr to a quaint Brazilian restaurant — which was a great choice considering he did so solely because he once saw her post about looking for the perfect Brazilian spot. (Smooth move Anslem!) The date went very well.
“We shared engaging conversation, sampled each other’s food, drank caphiranas and enjoyed each other’s company,” shares Starr, “I thought he was cute and had really good energy.”
Try, Try Again
The attraction was strong, and before Starr realized it, Anslem had sped out of the “friend zone” and into the love seat. Although their love was real, like so many other stories, their road to happily ever after had its bumps. They split for a time and dated other people, though Starr swears she never stopped loving Anslem. The feeling, as it turns out, was mutual and after reuniting, their love blossomed like never before. This time their bond was unbreakable and before long they were an inseparable pair, loving, growing, and traveling the world together. They logged air miles to many places, but it was their trip to Anslem’s hometown in St. Lucia that would prove to be most memorable. It was there on the beach that he proposed to his lady love and their next chapter began.
A Tropical Proposal
With a secret ring tucked away safely in Anslem’s suitcase, they boarded the plane for tropical paradise. After six days and nights of romantic bliss, their last evening there they sat together for a beautiful sunset dinner overlooking the ocean. Anslem knew the time was right.
“He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper and began reading this beautiful poem entitled, ‘I Love’,” Starr recounts. “When he was done reading, he said how he wrote the poem in college and always said how he wanted to give it to a woman he wanted to marry.”
Anslem stood up and reached in his pocket. He pulled out a forest green box, got down on one knee, and said the words that made time stand still, “Will you marry me?”
Overwhelmed with emotion, Starr smiled and began freaking out! She immediately said “yes”!
Congratulations to the couple! Take a look at their fun engagement shoot at Brooklyn’s famous Coney Island.