When We Collide

July 31, 2024

I love the song “Collide” by Tiana Major9 & Earthgang. It is not a long song, but it is a powerful song (to me). It was used as one of the songs for the film Queen & Slim (2019). I have thoughts about the film. Right now, the focus is the song. The first verse speaks to how I feel about my marriage with my Sunshine. Over the years there has been a lot of commentary about our marriage. And while people are welcome to their opinions, I have learned over the years the only (earthly) opinions that really matter about my marriage are the opinions that come from my Sunshine and me. In addition, it is safe to say that we both have embraced the collision that is us. Our collision has created a beautiful disaster that is 20 years of marriage! Our collision has created a beautiful disaster of 4 children...joint accomplishments college, in the community, and in church. I know none of this is possible without our first collision in November 2002…

Every collision/encounter we have with others serves a purpose. My Sunshine and I did not just meet each other by accident. I am a firm believer that every interaction we have with individuals has a purpose. While I didn’t know the purpose of our collision, I knew two things in November 2002…I knew that she was worthy of being appreciated and celebrated long before I knew I would spend the rest of my life with her. 

I think if someone asked me how we got to 20 years of marriage I would say we have come this far by learning from our mistakes and doing better. (I know I hold the record for mistakes and learning from mistakes.) The easy part is colliding and falling in love; the easy part is saying I do at your wedding. The hard part is trying to figure out what to do. When the excitement about the initial collision fades, the challenge is to find new ways to collide. It's important to tap into all ways you can to collide and to recognize you have the privilege of being with your best friend, every single day of your life.

To my Sunshine, I am so grateful that we collided in November of 2002… I am ecstatic that our collision has led to 20 years of making a life with you.  We have collided with our dreams; we have collided with the ways we wanna support our children…We have collided in the way that we want to honor God and in 20 years of being Married, I realize that there has been no collision on this planet that I have ever experienced (outside of God) that has been so life-changing like my collision with you. And I look forward to finding new collisions for us to have every single day. My Bride, I love you! I am looking forward to 20 more years…if you'll have me! 

Jet Black…
Elgrie J. Hurd III
-Your Collison/Beautiful Disaster Partner