Dana Chanel And Prince Donnell Share Advice On Accountability, Faith And Self-Love

Ready, Set, Go.

"Not gonna lie, I wasn't ready at all. I was a 20-year-old dude who just started my career as a personal banker with my life, accident and health insurance license and making $60,000 per year," Donnell admits to xoNecole about his mental preparation for a serious relationship. "I moved into my own apartment, got my own car and I had a few extra dollars on my check every two weeks after bills. To be honest, I felt like I made it."

After living what he thought in his mind was his best life with having his friends in and out of his apartment everyday and a fair share of friendships with various women, he soon came to realize that his life would change after meeting his wife with whom he shared the same alma mater, Community College of Philadelphia. "I remember her third time visiting my apartment and she threw out all of the liquor bottles on the top of my fridge and forced me to go food shopping because I would eat out everyday and she wanted me to start saving money. It was clear that she was different from the majority of women I've dated," added Donnell.

He admits that he wasn't ashamed of not "being ready" for a relationship when it presented itself to him while arguing pointedly that no one between the ages of 20-25 years of age is actually ready for what life has to give them. "We don't have enough experience. Social media places a ton of pressure on millennials to be this perfect person who is rich, has a business, drives a luxury car and seems to have their life in order. Man, that's for movies. As long as you're making a conscious decision to improve your life each day and your partner is supporting you through that journey, that's what truly matters," he advises.

"I'm 25-years-old today," Donnell continues, "and although I run a company that generates over ten times the amount of my yearly income at the bank and have all of these 'luxury items,' it still hasn't made me fully ready for my marriage. Everyday is a new learning experience to become a better man and to love my wife like Christ loves the church."

"We don't have enough experience. Social media places a ton of pressure on millennials to be this perfect person who is rich, has a business, drives a luxury car and seems to have their life in order. Man, that's for movies. As long as you're making a conscious decision to improve your life each day and your partner is supporting you through that journey, that's what truly matters."

Self-Love and Loving Each Other

As Donnell touches on loving one another and opens up about the practicality of readiness for a romantic relationship, Dana Chanel brings our attention to the importance of self-love and catering to one's self. Chanel agrees that self-love is a responsibility of one's own self, but there's additional work that needs to be done. "It is so important that if you're gonna decide to do life with someone that they honor, encourage and motivate you to continue to evolve as you guys get older," she says. "Never be afraid to join a journey with your spouse if you know it's important to them, ain't nothing like someone screaming in your ear."

Dana tells xoNecole that after getting married to Donnell, she gained twenty pounds of happy weight, but rather than being degrading or condescending, Donnell took it upon himself to encourage his wife and be her biggest support system. "Don saw I was irritated and disappointed in how lazy I had become with myself. So instead of just watching me embark on my own self-love fitness journey, he joined me at the gym [twice] a day, he intermediate fasted with me and encouraged me by being by my side," Chanel shares. "It's so much easier to self-love when your partner isn't just a bystander but is hype about you loving yourself."

This Isn’t Just a Man’s World

When it comes to the roles of gender in marriage, oftentimes the man is expected to be the breadwinner and the woman to be a docile housekeeper and child bearer. In the 21st century, the power couple has proven to the world that they can do it all as not only man and woman - but as equals. As the two began to step into their partnership, they've respected each other in business and romance. "I praise God every single day for blessing me with a husband that doesn't put me in a box as a woman and is my PARTNER!" Dana praises the equality and respect in her relationship with Donnell. "Listen, we are hardworking women. We grind and are just as emotionally and mentally exhausted after a long day of work, so we work together around the house. I cook, he does dishes, he does laundry, I do bathrooms. He doesn't just assume or force me into a duty we could do together. He respects the other roles I play in life as a CEO, a sister, a friend and alleviates pressure."

In their relationship, Dana and Donnell make it a point to uplift and encourage one another while providing emotional and mental support for one another in rough times. We live in a society where women aren't subjected to stand behind their man, but beside them. "When he is weak, I have to put on my cape and be superwoman," Dana adds.

"Something that is important though is [to not] be afraid to ask your spouse to help you out," she further advises. "We make it look really easy when we're struggling to do it all. Your relationship is about providing your spouse the best possible circumstance to grow and flourish, not feel burdened by obligation. Y'all are doing life together, remember that. Don't wait for a nervous breakdown before you ask for help. Ain't no gender roles, we're gonna do whatever necessary to be aware enough to spot each other's weaknesses and be an extraordinary family no matter what position we gotta play."

"I praise God every single day for blessing me with a husband that doesn't put me in a box as a woman and is my PARTNER! We grind and are just as emotionally and mentally exhausted after a long day of work, so we work together around the house. I cook, he does dishes, he does laundry, I do bathrooms. He doesn't just assume or force me into a duty we could do together. He respects the other roles I play in life as a CEO, a sister, a friend and alleviates pressure."

Faith, God and Hustle

Aside from holding one another accountable and being a stable support system, faith and a relationship with God serves as the foundation for the metaphorical house that is their aspirational marriage. "Faith is the foundation of our marriage. As a husband, I can't properly lead my family without the Holy Spirit's wisdom and guidance. Especially during those times when things get tough," says Donnell. In times of COVID-19, couples and friendships are deteriorating, but yet they find a way to communicate through Christ and keep a healthy relationship afloat.

"Faith is a superpower we all possess but don't fully tap into because we can't see the results right away - but faith isn't enough to make a relationship [or] marriage last," he continues. "It requires that other word called 'work' that people are afraid of. These 'relationship goals' couples look real good on social media and these marriages look like fairy tales on television. But what happens when it hits the fan?"

For more of Dana and Prince, follow them on Instagram @danachanel and @princedonnell.