
This Couple Shares Why Prayer & Faith Are The Foundation Of Their Marriage

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.
In a world and time in our lives where it can seem many are searching and asking where God is, there are still moments that prove His love for his children. It can be in the simple things: A beautiful day, an unexpected surprise, or even a partner who makes you feel like you're on top of the world.
That's the vibe of Wanda and Lorelco Mulzac's marriage, one that is grounded in faith and prayer. Seriously. Funnily enough, the two met through Instagram (so y'all, you can find your King even on the 'gram), after Wanda commented under Lorelco's sister's photo and he asked who she was.
The two dated for six months before getting engaged, and then only for a year before tying the knot and making their love official. While some may think this is a fairytale story straight out of a movie, think again. Wanda says that she decided to take a chance on the relationship when "God gave [her] the okay sign," signaling that the decision of pursuing, surrendering, and ultimately, loving, is something that we can fully give over instead of carrying the weight on ourselves. Here's how these two have made it through their first year:
The One
Wanda: I knew he was the one by the way that he pursued me. In our first conversation, I definitely thought that he was special, but I did not feel that we would be together because I wasn't looking for a relationship. He always checked in on me and went above and beyond to make sure that I was okay. Eventually, I had to realize that the reason I wouldn't accept such a good man was because I didn't find myself worthy of one. But after I prayed and asked God to give me peace, I knew that he was the one! God opened my eyes to see that my husband was—and would continually be—the tangible expression of God's love for me.
"God opened my eyes to see that my husband was the tangible expression of God's love for me."
Lorelco: I knew Wanda was the one for me during our first conversation. It was the most transparent conversation I had ever had with any individual. I instantly loved her honesty, her sense of humor, and her love for God. We prayed together, sung worship songs, and just had an amazing time during the six hours we were on the phone. That conversation taught me the value of transparency and the value of a woman. As we talked, I knew I couldn't make it to the next level of my life alone. I needed my rib and I knew she was it.
Overcoming Fears In Marriage:
Wanda: One of my biggest fears was that I would fail at being a wife. You see, I had never witnessed a loving marriage so it was hard for me to really visualize who I should be. Ultimately, I learned to conquer that fear by prayer and just giving it my best shot. We both had to realize that there is really no secret potion to marriage and everybody has to find out what works for THEM. Also, every other obstacle has and is continually being tackled through prayer, faith, communication, and unconditional love/support!
Lorelco: We had some fears and obstacles to tackle once we were married. Prayer kept us through. We have learned that it is unhealthy to fight against each other, but we must be FOR each other. I admit, we didn't handle every situation well. We argued and argued, but we had to make a decision to love and remember why we fell in love in the beginning. Our love is stronger than any obstacle or any negative situation and we just have to be reminded of that daily. In addition, we've learned that communication is better than silence. One of the major reasons we were able to overcome obstacles is talking about the issues and working through them.
Important Lessons In Marriage:
Wanda: The most important thing in marriage to me is friendship! I say this because friendship opens the door to so many key principles that would otherwise be missed. The first key is communication. You hear this a lot but don't realize how much it is needed until you actually reach a point where it feels like a challenge to communicate what you're feeling. Also friendship allows you to move beyond your pride to make sure that your spouse isn't hurting. Lastly, it allows you to stay together in rough times. You won't always feel like being emotional, but when you have a genuine connection, it allows you to know what to say and do in tough moments, without applying extra pressure. A great friendship will heal your soul and bring light to the darkest of days.
Lorelco: The most important thing in a marriage is communication and honesty. Communication is the key to exponential growth. It is the bridge between love and adore, like and dislike, happy and unhappy. If the bridge of communication is torn down, depending on what side you are on, you can miss the connection of growth between the two differences. I never wanted to get stuck not liking some of the things my wife does or get stuck being unhappy. The truth is, it happens sometimes, but one way to bypass those moments is to communicate those specific things that are causing you to be unhappy. It is hard to hear if you're the one receiving the criticism, but it's necessary if you want to grow.
Love Lessons:
Wanda: One of the best love lessons that I have learned is that marriage isn't really about being a happy wife. While I love to be spoiled and admired, there were times that I had to realize my husband deserved the same happiness and catering. This was a lesson because he would always push me away from celebrating him, but I had to go above and beyond to make sure that I listened to his needs and not his wants. It seems like women are always receiving compliments and gifts but I've learned that my man who works tirelessly needs the same kind of love!
Lorelco: Some of the best love lessons I have learned is to never give up. Marriage is hard and it can get harder maneuvering your way through the unexpected, but I have learned that I can never give up. I have seen many marriages fail because they refused to keep fighting so I'm learning and still learning to press through the hardships and disagreements. Real intimacy happens when you trust each other with the deepest parts of your heart and choose to love through the brokenness you have experienced in life.
"Real intimacy happens when you trust each other with the deepest parts of your heart and choose to love through the brokenness you have experienced in life."
Best Part About Marriage:
Wanda: The best part of our marriage is that we celebrate each moment and we spend time together. We are constantly growing but we are never too busy to reconnect. I love how thoughtful my husband is and how he would do anything to put a smile on my face. Creating memories and learning each other every day is my favorite part of marriage.
Lorelco: The best part of marriage is traveling, spending time together, and experiencing new things. I wouldn't trade it for the world. It has truly grew me in ways unexpectedly and I am just happy to do life with my baby, Wanda Mulzac!
Click here to read past Our First Year love stories!
Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Roscoe Dash joined xoMan host Kiara Walker to share the journey of his personal and spiritual evolution—from the party anthems that made him famous to a deeper life rooted in faith, family, and purpose. This episode offers an honest look at how the artist has grown beyond early fame, addressing fatherhood, masculinity, creativity, and healing.
Dash opened up about the internal transformation that has guided him away from chasing the spotlight and toward seeking peace. “Faith and fear can’t occupy the same space,” he said, underscoring his shift toward a more spiritually grounded life. Throughout the interview, he emphasized the importance of self-reflection:
“The most important conversations to me, honestly, outside of the ones you have with God, is the ones you have with yourself in the mirror.”
Dash is focused on the man he’s become. “I’m not the accolades I’ve achieved—I’m the person who achieved them,” he added, pointing to a broader understanding of identity and worth. A large part of that growth has come through fatherhood, especially raising daughters, which he said has deepened his understanding of love. “Love is unconditional and love loves to love no matter what,” he shared.
He also spoke candidly about the pressures of fame and its impact on creativity. “Chasing fame can kill your creativity as a musician,” he warns. Instead, his advice to other artists is simple but clear: “Keep your focus on your art form, whatever that may be, and stay passionate.”
The conversation also touches on gender dynamics and emotional safety in relationships. “Safe men make soft women. If she feels safe, she’ll melt like butter,” he said, challenging traditional notions of masculinity. Roscoe also offers wisdom on discernment and spiritual testing: “Sometimes the devil will give you what looks better than your blessing.”
Ultimately, Dash has learned to embrace peace over chaos. “All I can do is control what I can control. And that's how I respond to things and what I'm giving out,” he said. It’s a thoughtful, soulful side of Roscoe Dash that many may not expect—but one that leaves a lasting impression.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube