# @jacksonstateu on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CtJ8g3GsyGb
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/7153425-jacksonstateu-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/c119971c40.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-06-06T16:20:11.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Jackson State U. (@JacksonStateU) — https://gondola.cc/JacksonStateU

## Caption

#JSULove: “We met in music appreciation class during the spring of 2015 and ended up sitting next to each other by chance. Our friendship began when Mykela lost her voice and the professor called on her. I immediately spoke up for her and began reading the passage to the class. As our friendship blossomed, we would walk to the dorms together since they were in the same direction. I was always hesitant when I reached my dorm, where we would part, and Mykela would walk the rest of the way to her dorm alone. 

Our friendship flourished after an assignment from our professor. We were asked to attend and write about five live musical performances and we decided to go to them together. We grew to know each other even more while attending both class and the musical events. At the end of the semester, I asked Mykela to be my girlfriend and shockingly she said, ‘No.’

I didn't give up and we continued to talk all summer long. In October 2015, she agreed to a relationship and we became a couple.

In 2020, I knew I wanted to propose to the love of my life but the COVID-19 pandemic complicated matters. I had to think of how I was going to surprise Mykela and keep it a secret. I thought it would be perfect to not only do it in Jackson where we met but also at the home of her relatives who are alumni of Jackson State from when it was known as Jackson College. I invited a few of her family members and mine to be there. I knew this would most likely make her cry when she saw our families standing together in support of our union. 

I got down on one knee as she walked through the door. Our mothers were on either side of me holding “marry me” signs. I thought she would cry, but she was so shocked I was afraid she might pass out! She shook her head to say “Yes,” through her tears and our relatives gave us JSU apparel as congratulatory gifts!

Since then, we’ve been on so many adventures together. Our greatest adventure, that of husband and wife, began on Oct. 10, 2021. We are now living happily in Denver, Colorado.”

Jamario Rankins —Class of 2017
Mykela (Croft) Rankins —Class of 2018

#JacksonState #JacksonStateUniversity #THEEiLove #HBCU #HBCUGrad #HBCUGrads

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,743
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- **Comments:** 59

## Tags

jacksonstateuniversity, theeilove, hbcu, jsulove, hbcugrads, jacksonstate, hbcugrad

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