In xoNecole's Our First Year series, we take an in-depth look at love and relationships between couples with an emphasis on what their first year of marriage was like.
As single women, the thought of getting married and trading in our spontaneity for compromise and routine can be bittersweet, but this Florida-based couple is proof that when you marry the right man, every day is a new adventure.
Brittany and Walter met for the first time at a FAMU frat party in 2013, where Walter immediately realized that the graceful AKA was everything he didn't know was missing. "When I first saw Brittany, I thought, 'Oh that's my type: tall, long legs, beautiful smile, big lips. And I said to myself, I need that in my life."
After months of unsuccessfully shooting his shot, Walter finally got the chance of a lifetime when his dream girl slid him her number after a football game. Little did he know, it was only a matter of time before she would become his wife and the mother of his unborn baby girl.
Five years into their relationship, Walter proposed during a romantic vacation in Jamaica, and one year later, the couple was married on a beach in Pensacola, FL surrounded by 300 of their closest family and friends. At the end of this month, the Smalls will celebrate their four-year wedding anniversary, and according to Brittany and Walter, the honeymoon still isn't over.
Rachelle Lynn Photography
Despite previously being diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), Brittany discovered that they would be expecting a new addition to their family that's dropping this July. The coupled shared that their miracle baby not only solidified their faith in God, but confirmed their faith in their marriage.
Like most women who battle with infertility, Brittany initially felt betrayed by her body and she carried this sense of shame into her relationship. "For the first month after I was diagnosed, I carried such guilt that I might not be able to give my husband a family," she revealed. Luckily, Walt was by her side every step of the way to give her the boost of hope she needed. "I think he recognized that in me and affirmed me that this wasn't anybody's fault, but our journey would be our testimony. I thank God for him during that time."
Although this news would have been devastating enough to make most relationships crumble, Brittany and Walt shared that the diagnosis made them want to fight even harder for the life they had always dreamed of. Brittany expressed, "If anything, I think the diagnosis made our marriage stronger. My husband is the one who told me that God was in control of our lives and he was there to support me with processing my diagnosis, doing my research, [and] coming to doctor's appointments."
Rachelle Lynn Photography
Despite the fact that Brittany is 33 weeks pregnant, she and Walter still make time for romance and recently went on a "babymoon" to celebrate their last vacation as a family of two.
In preparation for their baby girl, the couple is making big plans for the future, and recently, Brittany and Walter (who are celebrating four years of marriage on May 30) took a walk down memory lane and threw it all the way back to 2015. In this edition of Our First Year, Brittany and Walter sat down with xoNecole and gave us all the tea on what it took to make it through the first 365 days after their wedding. Here's what they had to say:
The One
Brittany: I knew that he was the one by the way that he always protects me. When we first got together, my self-esteem was very low. He recognized it and told me that a woman this beautiful should not feel this way about herself. Through his actions and his constant affection, he taught me how to love myself again. He appreciated all the things about myself that I disliked. For that, I am so grateful that he came into my life when he did.
Walter: I knew that Brittany was the one when she challenged me and made me better as a man. There is a feeling of unconditional love that has always existed between us. I think we were so young when we got together, we didn't necessarily know what would happen with us. What we did realize was that we had a special bond and through the years that bond grew because we essentially grew into adulthood together. All of our adult defining moments were accomplished together. For us, that really creates a different bond that can't be broken.
Rachelle Lynn Photography
"I knew that Brittany was the one when she challenged me and made me better as a man. There is a feeling of unconditional love that has always existed between us."
Meet Me At The Altar
Brittany: I think the defining moment that confirmed for me that he would make an amazing husband and head of our household is when my sister was living in Washington D.C. and took ill due to her Crohn's disease. She ended up in ICU and almost passed away. When I told Walt what happened, he bought me a plane ticket to go and see her. He knew how important my family was to me and knew that I was so emotionally distraught, and I wasn't really taking it well. So, he took control of the situation and supported me.
Walter: I got a job in Orlando and moved. We weren't even long distance for three months before Brittany worked to get a promotion and moved to Orlando to be with me. It showed me that she was fully invested, and our love was her priority.
Overcoming Fears In Marriage
Brittany: My biggest fear was becoming so involved in my marriage that I lost myself. I grew up being raised to work hard and always have my own, not just financially but also my own life. I didn't want to be one of those wives so caught up in their husband that they lose their own sense of self. I think I let go of those fears because I recognized that one of the things I appreciate most about Walt is that he has never tried to change me and embraces my individuality and eclectic personality. I calmed my fears by talking it over with Walt and he was able to show me how outlandish those fears are. I am an over-analyzer and 9 times out of 10, Walt is the one who has to talk me off the ledge.
Walter: My biggest fear for marriage was not being able to provide for my family. I decided to let my fear become my motivation. It's what wakes me up in the morning, my drive to fulfill my goals and dreams. I always want to make sure that I can give my family the best and that my wife and future children have everything they ever wanted.
Rachelle Lynn Photography
"I didn't want to be one of those wives so caught up in their husband that they lose their own sense of self. I think I let go of those fears because I recognized that one of the things I appreciate most about Walt is that he has never tried to change me and embraces my individuality and eclectic personality."
Important Lessons In Marriage
Brittany: I think I learned forgiveness. I am a perfectionist and I like things to be perfect, but that's not a reality in a relationship and especially not marriage. We are not perfect, and I came to understand that I can't expect my husband to be perfect. I know that he loves me and wouldn't intentionally hurt me or make me mad, and that's all that matters.
Walter: I learned that you are not alone in this journey called life. You have a partner that you can depend on when you're weak and be the strength when your partner has shortcomings.
Baggage Claim
Brittany: I had to learn how to relinquish control. I can be a control freak and have always been what some call bossy, but what I like to say is strong leadership skills. I know that it was important for Walt to feel like the head of our household and I didn't want to emasculate him. I had to learn how to let my voice be heard without taking over everything.
Walter: For me, I had to learn the importance of communication, communicating consistently, and the different types of communication. For example, I am solution-based and sometimes Brittany just wants me to listen to her and let her vent, not go directly to solving the problem. Also, learning that communicating consistently is important. It's not just about me anymore but making sure that my family knows what's going on. For both of us, these are still works in progress, but that's what marriage is all about.
Rachelle Lynn Photography
"I had to learn the importance of communication, communicating consistently, and the different types of communication. For example, I am solution-based and sometimes Brittany just wants me to listen to her and let her vent, not go directly to solving the problem. For both of us, these are still works in progress, but that's what marriage is all about."
Overcoming Challenges
Brittany: Some of our early challenges were how we were going to do our finances and communication. Dating as broke college students, we had already shared a lot financially. We made sure each other had what we needed. But being young professionals and finally making good money, it was a challenge to learn how to merge and manage our finances together. We tackled this issue by creating a google doc budget with sheets for every month and everything is divided by weeks. It gives both of us access to see where the money is going and what bills are being paid weekly. We also decided to tackle finances as a team and build our wealth together.
Best Advice
Brittany: Our relationship mantra has always been to do what's best for us, even if it doesn't look like what others think it should. Our first year of marriage we had to continue to remind ourselves that we knew what worked for us and getting married shouldn't change that. Our first few months we struggled with trying to establish a new normal, but quickly realized that what we had already built worked best for us. We know each other best and live our lives according to our own rules.
Rachelle Lynn Photography
"Our relationship mantra has always been to do what's best for us, even if it doesn't look like what others think it should. Our first year of marriage we had to continue to remind ourselves that we knew what worked for us and getting married shouldn't change that."
The Best Part
Brittany: I love how compassionate and caring he is. I love that people are drawn to his personality and how he truly goes above and beyond for his loved ones. I love that he doesn't take himself too seriously and is a true gentleman. I love that he is like a cuddly teddy bear, so warm and touchy-feely.
Walter: I love that Brittany is the perfect combination of beauty and intelligence. I love that she is ambitious and has such a creative, beautiful mind. I love that she is so passionate about the ones that she cares about. I love that Brittany has always had traditional values as a wife, but also progressive.
Building Together
Brittany: Our common goal is to build generational wealth. We want to continue to build on the legacy that our parents provided for us and do even more for our future generations. Our marriage purpose is living a life that is pleasing to God. We want to always be a representation of God's love and His promise to His people. Our individual goals serve that common goal daily because we work at our jobs and side hustles to make sure that we build our wealth.
You can keep up with Walter and Brittany on Instagram or on their YouTube page! Also make sure to watch their adorable pregnancy reveal video below, just make sure you grab a box of tissues, first!
Our Journey to Parenthood, Our Miracle | Conceiving Naturally with PCOS | A Small Worldyoutu.be
Want more Our First Year love stories? Check them out here.
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“I’m a different person, you know, now than I was January 19,” King shared. “Grief is a journey, you know? I understand that grief is love that has no place to go.”
“I know that it’s important for me to honor Ian in the totality of who he is, speak about him in the present because he is always with me and the joy and happiness that he gave all of us,” she added.
The Shirley star also added that it's vital to discuss the common misconception surrounding depression, noting that battles with mental health can manifest in diverse ways. “When it comes to depression, people expect it to look a certain way — they expect it to look heavy,” King told Robin Roberts.
“To have to experience this and not be able to have the time to just sit with Ian’s choice, which I respect and understand… He didn’t want to be here anymore, and that’s a hard thing for other people to receive because they did not live our experience, did not live Ian’s journey.”
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The Academy Award winner openly revealed that she was initially “so angry with God.”
“Why would that weight be given to Ian? Of all of the things that we had gone through — therapy, psychiatrists, programs — and Ian was like, ‘I’m tired of talking, Mom,' " she said.
With the memory of her son near to her, King said through tears, “My favorite thing about myself is being Ian’s mom and I can say that with a smile, with tears, with all of the emotion that comes with that. I can’t do that if I did not respect the journey.”
Anderson, 26, was a musician, DJ, and King’s only child. In 2019, Ian escorted his mother on the red carpet of the Golden Globes where she took home the award for "Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture."
He toldE! News at the time, "She's just a super mom. She doesn't really let bad work days or anything come back and ruin the time that we have. It's really awesome to have a mother who I can enjoy spending time with."
Understanding that grief is shared by many others, King emphasizes the unique weight of her role as Ian's mother and acknowledges that the sadness will always be a part of her.
“Sometimes, a lot of guilt comes over me. When a parent loses a child, you still wonder, ‘What could I have done so that wouldn’t have happened?’ I know that I share this grief with everyone, but no one else is Ian’s mom, you know? Only me. So it’s mine. And the sadness will never go away. It will always be with me.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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