# @jacksonstateu on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CsWxyKJs2o7
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/7153435-jacksonstateu-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/8aa7ef9dff.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-05-17T19:25:10.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Jackson State U. (@JacksonStateU) — https://gondola.cc/JacksonStateU

## Caption

#JSULove: “I was a freshman music education major at Jackson State University who jokingly told everyone I only came to college to find a husband. Cortney was a sophomore psychology major. I think we crossed paths only as members of the SonicBoom_OTS Marching Band.

He looked good (tall, dark, handsome, etc.) but he was on the drumline, so I assumed he had to be a jerk and we only talked once that year. In 2010, we were both section leaders who faced similar obstacles and had to rebuild our respective sections. We became good friends during that year.

After learning about his character and seeing how he directed his section, I thought, “if I only had the opportunity to be in a relationship with someone like this,” but the thought always stopped there. That opportunity came in 2011, so I “shot my shot.”

Instead of jumping into a relationship, we took time to learn more about each other. Through fellowship, growth and like-mindedness, we became best friends.

In 2013, Cortney and I began our official relationship, but it was shortlived because he enlisted in the Marines and later went to boot camp. The separation strengthened our bond and provided the foundation for everything else to come. After prayer and counsel, we were privately married Sept.17, 2014 in North Carolina.

We are now eight years strong with three darling children. Before the kids, the degrees, the promotions, the struggles, the marriage, the relationship or the “shot shooting,” we were good friends. it takes a friend to keep the vows of a marriage.

I had no idea that God would take my freshman-year husband joke seriously. But I am proud to say I found my husband at THEE Jackson State University.”

Patrice Bell —Class of 2015 and 2017
Cortney Bell —Class of 2012

#JacksonState #JacksonStateUniversity #HBCU #THEEiLove #HBCULove

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 3,017
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- **Comments:** 56

## Tags

jacksonstateuniversity, hbculove, theeilove, hbcu, jsulove, jacksonstate

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