People's District

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Myron – “I was born in California and spent most of my life traveling around the world, mostly between England and St. Lucia. My Dad is Sri Lankan and my Mom is St. Lucian, so we have family all over. I came to D.C. two years ago to go to Howard University.

Naomi – “I was born in Haiti and lived there until I was 11 months old. My family moved to Atlanta, and I lived there until I came to Howard two years ago.

Myron – “I met Naomi on our first day at Howard University. I remember when we walked past each other in the cafeteria. I immediately noticed her. She was with her friend, who was really loud and was going around meeting everyone. Her friend noticed my friend and they got to talking.

Naomi – ‘I noticed Myron, too, in the cafeteria. My friend and Myron’s friend said that the four of us should have lunch together. So we all had lunch, but Myron and I never spoke. We just kind of sat there quietly. It was funny looking back on how awkward it was.”

Myron – “Yeah, I really liked her, but she didn’t speak to me at all. I mean, at all. I didn’t want to pressure her or nothing, so I left things as they were.”

Naomi – “I didn’t want things to end like that, so I had to take the initiative and texted him. I wrote, ‘Hi, this is Naomi. The girl you met in the cafeteria.’”

Myron – “I was excited to get her text, so I wrote back something we say in London. I wrote, ‘What you on?’ She had no idea what I was saying, so I told her it just means how are you doing.”

Naomi – “After that, we started talking a lot on the phone, but still weren’t seeing each other. One night, we were talking until six in the morning. Myron said, ‘Damn, I got to see you.’”

Myron – “That’s right! The digital stuff wasn’t enough for me. I needed the real thing.”

Naomi – “Me, too!”

Myron – “At six in the morning, we decided to meet up at this place we like to call Italy. It is an alley way on Euclid St. that has a European look to it with old bricks and stairs. It’s really beautiful. We met up that night and that was it.”

Naomi – “Now, we have been together for one year. August 16th is our anniversary and we are going to go back to Italy to celebrate.”

Myron – “Over this year, we have spent a lot of time together and learned a lot from each other. She likes to stay in and I like to go out. Doing both of these things let’s us build our relationship and see a lot of this city. For me, D.C. is a great place because there is so much to see and you don’t need a lot of money to see it. I really love this city and could see myself staying here forever. This is like no place that I have ever been before.”

Naomi – “While I do prefer to stay in, I am glad when Myron drags me out. I love D.C. and this place feels like home to me now. There is such a rich culture with such a distinct identity. I am glad that through meeting Myron, I have been able to see so much of it.”