Jasmine Fralish Allen and Matthew Stanley Duncan; a love story built around the beauty in God’s timing.
Jasmine and Matt could have meet each other multiple times over the past ten years, but it wasn’t until they both swiped right on a social media dating app in 2021 that their lives would become intertwined.
But, it wasn’t that simple, after matching on the dating app, Hinge, both unknowingly were in the midst of starting new jobs in the LA area within the sports and entertainment industry. Jasmine, having just moved to Los Angeles from Chicago three months prior landed a brand role in multicultural marketing. Matt on the other hand, who moved to LA from Connecticut years prior, had recently accepted a role with a creative agency doing sports marketing. Needless to say, they were both busy adapting to their new careers that neither followed back up with each other on their initial match for a few weeks.
After some time had passed, the two happened to reconnect on 2021 NFL Draft Day, and exchanged numbers. As both shared some small talk about their day, it immediately became apparent that they were both massive NFL fans excited to see who their teams would pick in Round 1 that night. Jasmine, a born and raised Bengals fan felt Ja’Marr Chase would be the best addition to her Cincy team. Matt, a die hard Cowboys fan was looking to linebacker Micah Parsons to add some heat to the Dallas defensive line.
As draft night continued, both got the impact players they hoped for who would end up wearing jersey numbers #1 and #11 respectively on each team. After hours on the phone together the two made plans officially plans to go out on a first date the following weekend.
As both love to explore and support black-owned businesses, Post & Beam outside of Leimert Park became the location that sparked the relationship they had wished and prayed for.
Jasmine immediately felt a sense of comfort and ease in connecting with Matt. She was immediately drawn to his thoughtfulness, caring nature, drive, transparency, and blunt (but never rude) communication style. His smile, family values, openness to new experiences and aligning life goals were just icing on the cupcake. With every date, vacation, Tuesday movie night, brunch, day party and holiday from then on he continued to showcase that he’s the man she only thought existed in her dreams.
Matt was speechless and breathless when Jasmine walked into the restaurant. He was nervous about how the night would go, but after a few minutes he started to ease into the date. Jasmine and Matt instantly connected over their love of God, sports, music, movies, and their alma mater (#AggiePride). Over the next few weeks and dates it was abundantly clear that Jasmine was the woman for him.
13 years and 2,400 miles from when they were both teenagers on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University, never crossing paths, to meeting each other in HIS perfect timing. They found everything they wanted, desired and needed in a partner when they walked into Post and Beam that night in 2021. They can’t wait to celebrate this love with those they care about most on 1.11 in Washington, DC as a nod to their first conversation.
Matt and Jasmine's favorite hobbies together include traveling to see their NFL teams, concerts, music festivals, live sports, brunch with a view, new experiences, exploring other cultures, and supporting family/friends.
Matthew’s principles are faith, family, and football. He is a Scorpio that leads with his heart. Family (blood or chosen) is at the core of what matters to him most. You can always count on him to give his time or lend an ear to be there in anyway he can for those that matter most.
Matthew is also passionate about giving back to his community through mentorship of minority sports business professionals, coaching youth football teams, and his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.
Matthew is from Capitol Heights, MD but currently works and lives in Los Angeles, CA.
Jasmine is a true Libra, who loves to create and maintain balance. She loves all things rose gold, snoopy, Christmas, sports, travel and self care. No need to tease her with a good time. If French Toast, Cupcakes, or the opportunity to grab a Whiskey Ginger is on the menu…she’s down. But not before having her morning coffee!
If she’s not traveling for work to bring to life valuable experiences for the next generation of HBCU leaders, you can find her at home randomly breaking out in dance moves and song, baking sweets, online shopping or binge watching reality shows well past midnight.
Jasmine is from Cincinnati, OH but currently works and lives in Los Angeles, CA.