From College to Forever

ULYSSES & ANGELA BUTLER

In the fall of 1994, fate brought Ulysses and me together at Fort Valley State University. It was in front of Jeans Hall dorm where I first saw him standing there with his friends, completely unaware that he had just caught my eye. I turned to my cousin and told her that I thought he was cute, and without hesitation, she marched right over to let him know (much to my surprise and amusement!). That moment sparked the beginning of our story.

From that day, Ulysses and I exchanged numbers and began talking, forming a connection that quickly turned into a relationship. Though our romance didn’t last at the time, what did endure was a friendship that would span decades. Ulysses became the kind of friend I could always count on and someone who was always there, no matter what.

Years passed, life took us in different directions, but our bond remained unbreakable. Then, in 2017, we decided to meet for dinner. As soon as we saw each other, it was as if no time had passed; the spark between us was still alive. We began dating once again, and this time, love had its way.

On March 20, 2021, Ulysses took me back to the Fort Valley State University, to the very place where Jeanes Hall once stood, though times had erased its walls. As we stood in that familiar space, filled with memories of the past, he suddenly knelt on one knee and asked me to marry him. Overcome with shock and emotion, I said yes! On February 26, 2022, we sealed our love in marriage. From a chance meeting in front of a dormitory to a lifetime commitment, our story is one of friendship, fate, and a love that stood the test of time.

Wisdom for Today’s Students on Love, Relationships & Balancing School Life

To the current Wildcats: Remember to balance love, relationships, and school life. Remember love requires self-awareness, discipline, and a clear sense of priorities. Love will find you in its own time, just as it did for us, proving that the right person will come when the timing is right.