Until I Get Married

It was just announced today, Until I Get Married won the popular vote in the category of Best Sex and Relationships Blog, Best Personal Blog (an honor shared with my friend and career girlfriend, Demetria Lucas for ABelleinBrooklyn.com), and what is probably the most flattering honor, Best Writing in a Blog.

All three wins were through popular vote, meaning I literally could not have done it without you all. They should have a category for Best Readers of A Blog so I can find a way to pay you all back. You all are the best, and so my first thank you, goes to everyone of you.

Best People: The Readers of My Blog

I know it sounds cliche, but I never started this blog to win an award. As everyone knows, I just wanted to write and for that writing to be read by others. When I started UIGM a little over a year ago, my only hope was to create a blog people would enjoy reading. The awards prove this relationship not only still exists, but it’s reciprocal. I appreciate that.

I also appreciate all the different types of people who read my blog. The women, the men, no matter their race. I know the awards I won are the Black Weblog Awards, and they are given out to the best Black bloggers (since 2005), but I would like to think this isn’t a black blog. It’s not even really a relationship blog. It’s more like a blog about life, mine specifically, and I have always cared about creating something anyone could relate to in some way or another. I don’t care what color my readers are, I just want you all to enjoy it and relate to it. This here is a human experience, and I’m more than happy you all enjoy it enough to come along on it with me.

So thank you readers, you all are the best people ever. Now if you don’t mind, since I also did win Best Personal Blog, I have some personal awards I would like to give.

Best Family

My mom who must cringe sometimes when she reads this blog, but reads it everyday. My step-dad Ian, who does the same. My sister who once scolded me  for a blog I wrote not about her but about this one girl and probably says, “EWWW” after reading certain other things I write. A lot of people read this blog and think about me as some guy who lives in this big city, but you all know me the way I prefer to be known, as a son and a brother. When I didn’t have a job, and this blog was all I had, not once did you all say I was wasting my time. Instead, you all supported me and encouraged me to keep it up. Not enough words in my lifetime will be written or said to accurately sum up and express my appreciation.

Best Friend(s) And Best Business Partner: Jermaine

One of my best friends, and the guy who has put in all the work nobody sees. Jermaine is the reason you can email me at jozenc@untiligetmarried.com. He’s also the person who puts up with all my crap; the first guy who tells me to slow down and the first guy to tell me step my game up. Without him, I know I wouldn’t have gotten this far and with him, I know I’m going to get further.

Best Crew and Sharing The Award for Best Friend(s): The Deacon Board

I won’t put your names because you all have warned me time and time again if I print any of your names, you’ll kill me. But yeah, thank you. You all read and support my blog even though you don’t have to, because we know our bond is deeper than the blog. ER especially yesterday, in your last minute Facebook campaign to get everyone to vote for me, I appreciate you almost sacrificing your account on my behalf. From the hard times (RIP Trey) to the good times (every single weekend you all come to NYC), you all have my back and tell anyone who will listen about my blog. I appreciate that more than anything. Cobra, baby.

Best Email Listserve: Top 5

Top 5 Dead or Alive. All of you, thank you. I owe everyone of you a drink the next time I see you. Beer crawl soon?

Best Mentor: Danyel Smith

I have quite a few mentors in the game, but I’m going to single out Danyel because she was the very first person to comment on the very first post I wrote. Danyel, for those who don’t know, was my boss at VIBE during my second stint there. Since our time working together has ended, she has remained a great friend and a great mentor who has shown nothing but love for the work I create here. Go read her Tumblr, and not just because I said so, but because it’s pretty much the best thing on the web right now.

Best College To Be An Alumni From: Howard University

From what I hear, a lot of current HU students read my blog. Thank you. And from what I know, a gang of alumni do too, including folks who have probably been reading my work since my days at The Hilltop. Thank you to you all as well. Awwwww HU!

Best Girls: The Ones I Write About

Thank you. There are two sides to every story, and I appreciate those who have let me told my side and never asked me to take it down. There is not one girl I write about lightly. Not one I aim to disrespect or write about with any animosity. Some of you are friends with me to this day and read this blog, and some of you don’t talk to me anymore and don’t read this blog at all. But if I ever wrote about you, just know I care more than the words will ever show, and if you’re reading this now and think I’m talking about you, you’re absolutely right.