Meeting Love at the Library
DAVID & NATALIE WASHINGTON
Natalie and David Washington met on FVSU's campus, outside of the library in the Fall of 2002. Natalie was walking with Toria Cody and she introduced Natalie to Dave. After Dave walked away Natalie wondered why he didn't have any clothes on? (Dave had on red basketball shorts and a white tank top). While, they didn't begin dating until their senior year, they knew of each other and had a few mutual friends.
They both stayed busy and prioritized their grades. While at FVSU Natalie was a Presidential Scholar, the Director of Peer Relations in SGA, Vice President of Alpha Beta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the 2003 Miss Black and Gold, and she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science Spring 2006. Dave was a walk on cross country and track and field, ROTC scholarship recipient, President of Gamma Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, National Association of Black Accountants Vice President, and he graduated with Bachelor's Degree in Accounting in Spring 2007 and was Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.
They started dating during their senior year when a mutual friend suggested they get to know each other.
Following Natalie's graduation in May 2006 she moved to Lansing, MI to attend Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Dave was still finishing up his final year at FVSU. They talked d on the phone daily. Dave would switch phones with his friend Earl so he wouldn't be charged for the minutes (this was before unlimited plans). Additionally, we spent extended periods of time together during holidays and breaks. The couple remained in a long-distance relationship while David completed his gold bar recruiting, military training, and went to flight school and while Natalie completed law school.
They were married in January of 2009, while Natalie was on winter break from law school. Today, Natalie works as assistant general counsel at an international law firm, and David is a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army. They have been married sixteen years. They have three children David (7), Nathaniel (5), and Nia (2). They've moved seven times, and gone through four deployments together. Having similar experiences at FVSU gave them a good foundation to build our relationship and good times to look back on during the trying times of our relationship (long distance, deployments, post graduate school, and training exercises).
Wisdom for Today’s Students on Love, Relationships & Balancing School Life
1. Keep the main thing the main thing. The primary reason you went to Fort Valley is to earn a degree and set yourself up for your chosen profession.
2. Take advantage of the opportunities at FVSU, CDEP, ROTC, SGA, walk on to a team, etc. Fort Valley is a unique low threat environment where you can explore your interests and meet people who will become lifelong friends.
3. Do your work early. Don't wait until the last minute.
