There is so much power in black love. At its core, it stands as a badge of togetherness and unity in the face of systemic, social, generational and economic threats that are designed to harm and reinforce century old tropes about the community.
Ryan Destiny and Keith Powers sat down with We The Urban for their July 2019 Digital Issue to give us all the details on their love story that I just can't get enough of.
Ryan and Keith's love story began in 2015 at a Teen Vogue party, where Ryan's one-day Prince Charming said that he was so smitten by her beauty that he was too nervous to ask her out. Over the course of the next year, the two communicated via social media and found themselves crossing paths more frequently than ever. Eventually, the couple's casual friendship evolved into a whirlwind romance that we can't get enough of. In their interview with We The Urban, the couple revealed that while it may not have been love at first sight, the chemistry between them was undeniable since the beginning.
Way too often we have been force fed images of dysfunction when it comes to black, romantic relationships. Sure, love can be challenging at times, but it’s not always the struggle or small-minded idea we’ve become so accustomed to seeing.
Their relationship hasn't been easy, but both of these beauties say that having the opportunity to love one another makes the struggle for privacy more than worth it. Keith told We The Urban that it didn't take long for him to realize that Ryan was the one:
"I realized I was in love when I knew my life would be extremely affected in a negative way if Ryan wasn't in it. Loving someone is a very natural feeling that just happens. You can't just wake up and SAY I love this person, you FEEL it. You realize like wow, this person is a piece of me and regardless you don't ever want that person out of your life."
Keith says that because change is so consistent in our lives, we have to always be willing to learn something new. He explained:
"It's always great to grow with someone. You got more time for your love to get stronger. You get to make mistakes and learn, you also grow as a human. I believe love teaches. You get to be active in love young and you also get through obstacles you don't have to worry about when you get older."
What was the exact moment you realized you were in love? Ryan answered:
When I first met him. Joking! I had shamefully liked Keith since we met though. We were just friends for a minute. So when we let things naturally happen, if you let it, love falls in naturally too. There have been many moments in our relationship that made my heart feel heavy. In a good way and sometimes not so good way. In those moments, whatever they may be... the way I would think and feel wouldn’t feel surface anymore. You see things differently. Want to be different. The best you for yourself. The best you for your other. Knowing things will get-if anything more difficult but knowing you both are IN it. Once I realized that, and then some, it was a rush.
How do you define black love and how does your relationship exemplify that? Keith answered:
Black love is strength. When I see black love that’s the first thing that pops into my mind. It is so important for our people to see healthy black love. Whether it’s a relationship, marriage or even friendships. I think it is very important we SEE that. Black love gives us hope. When you see black love flourish, it’s POWERFUL. It’s important we show our youth how powerful it is as well. I think our relationship shows people that it's possible even in this type of industry. I think we exemplify good young black love.
With love brings change. In our lives we have all been loved and it is beautiful to see a young, free black couple openly show that.
Read the full interview here!
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