My girl ! My BFF! My sister !

Sooo I met Desiree’ back in 2004 , we meet at East High school! We were office assistants . She would always walk in the office with her head held high with the brightest smile. I’m the type of person that can sense good company. It was something about her that stood out. She was so friendly! As time went on, we both looked forward to 6th period because we knew we would link up in the office and talk each others ears off. We graduated and went our separate ways . I went to TSU and she went to Lipscomb. One sunny day I was walking from my dorm and guess who I ran into? Desiree’! It was her!! She ended up transferring to TSU. The girls who I hung with a minute before, didn’t stand a chance anymore. When you saw me, you saw Desiree’! Since then it’s been history! 20 years later and here we are. We have uplifted one another, cried together, shared major secrets with one another, laughed, and the list continues. Girl I’m so excited to see you start your journey as a wife! It’s the best feeling ever and I will be here to support you 200%. Always remember, COMMUNICATION will be vital as you enter into this new chapter called marriage! Proverbs 18:22 "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD. Jordan you a lucky man and I know you will treat her right, as you have shown me that over the last 6 years! Welcoming you with open arms to the left hang gang!!!

Sincerely,

Your Matron of Honor 💕💍

Porsha Wilson

I met Desiree’ at her mom's house when she was 10 years old. I was in to Memphis to see her brother play in the Southern Heritage Classic. I knocked on their door to introduce myself to his family for the 1st time. Desiree’ came out of her room wearing a princess night gown, 2 ponytails and her glasses, thick and clear. I was on the couch and she came and sat next to me and whispered “Is my brother nice to you?"

And at that moment we became sisters ❤️ .

If I gave our whole story, this will be the best novel you’ve ever read. So I’ll just give a snippet. In 2008 I remember vividly Desi introducing herself in one of our Mass Comm classes my second year of college. Her intellectual dialect led me to believe that she was false claiming Orange Mound. She was nothing like any of the other Memphis people I had already encountered or befriended (at least in class she wasn’t). She indirectly exposed me to another level of “Memphis folks.”

We didn’t become friends in that class but the following semester she happened to be in my Spanish class. Here is where I met DESI. The spunky, cool, eclectic, vibrant, Orange Mound Desi! While I considered taking Spanish as a minor and stressing myself out, Desi made Spanish class worth while with her funny stories and excuses to postpone tests. Lol!

As we got deeper into our major we looked forward to having more mass comm classes together. In 2009, I was presented an opportunity to become the Director of the campus radio station and I couldn’t think of anyone better to be my right hand as Operating Chief of Staff other than Desi. She held down the role so well I had to tell her to stop being so professional with me. 😭When you saw me, you saw her. It was up from there!

Although it took me a while to say it, everyone knew it… Desi is was in fact my ridah, my bestfriend. To see me, you gotta see her first! Over the years she’s been in my corner to see through all of my MANY entrepreneur ideas that I conjured up in my head. The support was limitless all the way up until I would say “nevermind, I want to do something else.” 😅

Fast forward to 2017, Desi as always was there to push me towards a dream. She co-founded with me a 501(c)3 L.I.G.H.T Mentoring. One thing’s for sure, I’m still on a mission to secure enough funding for her to operate in her Vice President role full time! Because who wouldn’t want to run a poppin’ nonprofit organization with their bestfriend? 🤷🏽‍♀️

We’ve seen each other through so much. Both good and bad. The joy in it all is to know that we we’ve fought through it together. And that’s how you know it’s real! When you feel, I feel and vice versa. I’m blessed to have you in my life, I’m confident in this union after seeing it from scratch and watching it sprout over the years. I’m so proud of Desi and honored to actually know this Johnson love story!

I came out of the womb knowing Desiree’. It started off as a love/hate relationship, but as we grew and matured, we developed a bond that could never be broken. From our B2K fixations, YDM Shows, and costume designs to Full Moons, Prom, and TSU Homecomings. Sushi off Broughten, Rooftops on River Street and the hole in the wall off Bull to FaceTimes and Phone Calls for planning sessions and to keep up with one another. I didn’t grow up with a big sister, but Ree’ filled that role for me. So SO happy for my Big Sister Cousin and Jordan. Love Ya’ll!

Once upon a time, I did a national student exchange at TSU and met Desiree’ at the on campus apartments where I stayed. She instantly welcomed me with open arms and introduced me to all of her friends and showed me around without hesitation. We clicked instantly and had the best conversations as two young college women learning how to navigate this thing called life. What I love about Desiree’ is that she genuinely wanted to learn and wasn’t afraid to ask questions and I respect that so much. Some of my favorite memories of us is going to all the cool parties because she was popular, clearly😉. That is how I met Porsha, Ashanti, and later on Kristin when they visited Vegas. She invited me to her brother’s home and invited me to church and those were some of my most cherished memories out of my TSU experience. TSU holds a very special place in my heart because of Desi. We knew time was ticking for me to return home to graduate at my home school so we maximized the heck out of the time we had left. Ask her about Cinco de Mayoooooooooo!! I am forever grateful to have gained a sister I never had and honored to be a part of her special day. You truly are a rare gem that everyone does not deserve. I’m proud of the woman you’ve grown to be and elated you have found your King. Now let’s build these empires and THRIVE!!!! Cheers to love and family lifetime after.

My Aquarius ♒️ sister Desi and I met in High School. We once had mutual friends who are no longer on this life journey with us. We formed a bond that has lasted some of my most darkest and exciting moments! For example, the night my youngest sister was shot in the face on July 2, 2016; Desi was the last person I saw before rushing to Regional One Health.

When I lived in Franklin, TN.

Desi would drive from Bellevue to spend time with my son Carsyn and me. The drive was not around the corner, but still made it her duty to fit us in her schedule. I would talk her ear off about so many things as she would create a safe space. Our friendship has always been sincere and joyful. She allowed my son Carsyn to hang out with her brother’s family specifically kicking it with her nephew Colby. He remembers the best times eating pizza and playing video games over their home.

Whenever I’m passing through Nashville or she is visiting Memphis til this day her kindness has been constant.

We make sure to empower one another. I’ve cried and released some of my most vulnerable secrets to Desi.

My son Carsyn thinks she’s a pretty cool chick, lol.

She’s a true Gem and I thank God for such an understanding impactful woman as Desiree’.

Never making me feel inadequate for some of my life decisions and continuously advocating for me being the best mom to my son no matter the situation. I cherish our connection, praying that our Heavenly Father will continue revealing his unwavering Favor over this New Journey in both our lives. I thank Jordan for handling Desi with care and allowing her to feel secure and safe in this cruel wicked world🙏🏾 👰🏾🙂 💜 📝 🎉

Proverbs 13:20

My dear friend Desi, our connection started unlike most friendships, it started with her working for my mom’s non-profit, and that was the best thing that could’ve ever sparked our friendship/sistership. From the beginning, she's played a big sister role that I have grown to appreciate more than she'll will ever know. She's talked me through so many tough times and her advice is like none other! The most important thing is that she has been by my side through all my grown-up milestones; my wedding day, my children being born, and the joy she had for us buying a home. She is one of a KIND, smart, giving, loyal and I want her to know that she is so deserving of this special day coming and I’m honored to be a part of it. I can’t wait to stand by her side as she embarks on this next chapter in life. I love you Desi!!

Attending Tennessee State University gave me more than just a degree and infamous student loan debt. I walked away with cherished memories and invaluable connections. One of those connections is with Desiree’. Our shared love for music and communications led us to the same area of study and an interest in working with WTST The Blaze, TSU’s radio station. We also lived in the same dorm and had some of the same classes.

While that doesn’t always lead to a friendship, our similar paths allowed us to discover how much we had in common despite our different life experiences and personalities. Whether it was working on radio projects together, spending time with her and her dad when I visited Memphis, or celebrating life’s special moments, our time at TSU helped us build the foundation of our friendship.

We are both goofy, and not once did I ever question the sincerity of her friendship. We've supported each other through different seasons and witnessed each other’s growth. Over the years, we’ve learned we can count on one another to laugh, pray, be honest, and always do it with love and a little razzle-dazzle.

Desiree' Adrienne Thomas:

Not the 2nd but THEE First cousin since birth, but in my heart I feel like she is my sister. I also feel like we are like Yin and Yang/birthday twins, but we have totally opposite personalities. Sugar and Spice and everything nice, she’s my dope dance partner & group Member of YDM which was our little family entertainment group. We’ve got a chance to perform on stage at the Orpheum Theatre with the arts camp Echoes Of Truth as teens, We’ve had ups and downs but in my time of grief she ministered to me with her actions of compassion. And with that I was able to conquer depression and cancer with her and our family’s prayers. I am so excited to be a part of this Union of Love. Congratulations Desireè and New Cousin Jordan! 💕