BRIDE: Maryiah (25)

GROOM: Colbert (26)

LOCATION: Orlando, FL

Wedding Date: TBD (They haven’t picked a date or venue)

Maryiah and Colbert met on Tinder four years ago during COVID – Colbert reached out on the dating app and the connection was immediate. They started spending more and more time together, and dated for two years before getting engaged about two years ago. Both are driven and ambitious in their careers. As a private investigator, Colbert is a go-getter with aspirations of continuing schooling for another degree. Maryiah on the other hand, is a creative who is working on publishing her art. The couple hasn’t yet picked a venue or decided on a wedding date. The couple is very much in love, but friends and family members have created drama, and cast doubts on their relationship over the past several years. Maryiah and Colbert are determined to set the record straight and diffuse any drama before they get married, so that they can prove to their family and friends that they belong together and have full support behind them when they do take the next step.

Colbert and Maryiah’s backgrounds couldn’t be more different. Colbert was raised by his grandparents after his parents, who were never married to each other, separated early in his childhood. Growing up without a strong family structure has shaped him in many ways. In contrast, Maryiah comes from a large, close-knit family – she’s the youngest of ten children with parents who are still married. This difference in upbringing sometimes creates tension, especially since Maryiah’s siblings are very involved in her life, and protective of her being the baby of the family. Maryiah’s older brother Jamie brings a protective skepticism to this issue in particular. He doesn’t like the fact that he knows nothing about Colbert’s upbringing or family values, and he plans to find out. What is Colbert’s background? What values was he raised with? Why isn’t he close with his family anymore? Did something happen between him and his family that he’s hiding? Is there someone on Colbert’s side of the family with a secret or a sketchy past? Does Maryiah know the truth?

Maryiah’s parents, Sarita and Oscar, voice similar concerns about the mystery of Colbert’s values. Sarita is the type of mother who is very involved with all ten of her children and wants nothing but the best for all of them. She wonders: How will Colbert raise his children? How many children does he want to have? Does Colbert have an addictive personality? Does Colbert have any savings? How does Colbert plan on financially supporting Maryiah? Would Colbert ever consider changing careers if it was necessary? 

Another big issue for the couple is infidelity. As both Maryiah and Colbert have been cheated on before in past relationships, they are especially conscious of whether or not infidelity will become a factor in their own love story. Colbert says that anytime they’re out in public, Maryiah seems to think he has eyes for other women which signifies this insecurity that Maryiah still harbors. Denzel, a close friend of Maryiah’s, happens to be the brother of her ex-fiance who cheated on her. He has questions for both Maryiah and Colbert as a result: Has Colbert had an interest in other women while he’s been with Maryiah? Does Colbert have any unfinished business from past relationships? And on the other side, has Maryiah ever cheated in a relationship? Has Maryiah ever thought about other men while with Colbert? Does Maryiah still have feelings for Denzel’s brother, Wilson? The relationship was serious: it lasted for 6 years and the two were engaged. Does Colbert feel threatened by the fact that Maryiah is still so close with her ex-fiance’s brother? Does maintaining this close friendship mean that the door is still open for Maryiah and Wilson, even a tiny bit?

Maryiah’s close-knit family has been wonderful for Colbert to experience as he didn’t have that in his own family, but it has also been a huge source of drama in their relationship. As one of ten siblings, someone is always stirring the pot – and it’s usually Maryiah’s oldest sister, Chelsea! She has expressed concern that Maryiah is too young to get married, and that Maryiah and Colbert are holding each other back from their own ambitions. Are Maryiah and Colbert absolutely 100% confident that they are each other’s ‘person?’ Are they sure they want to get married so young? Is Maryiah satisfied with her past relationships, or does she have any regrets or unfinished business? But with the drama that Chelsea brings to the table, other family members want to know if Colbert will be scared off. Has Colbert ever considered leaving Maryiah as a result of the drama her family has caused? How do Maryiah and Colbert handle conflict?

Ultimately, Maryiah and Colbert feel like they’re at the strongest they’ve ever been in their relationship, and want to open themselves up for questions from family and friends to prove their strength to everyone that doesn’t believe they’re ready for marriage. Only then will they be able to move forward full-force and take the next step in their relationship knowing they have the support of their entire circle at their backs.