Hoganne’s Perceptive:
Erik and I first meet in January 2006 at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan. Ironically, both of us are from Georgia. We had to leave warm, sunny Georgia and travel twelve hours to find each other in negative two degrees of a Michigan’s winter. Go figure! Together we entered the Coleman class and took classes like contracts, torts, and criminal law together. I decided to run for Coleman class representative of the Student Bar Association, (SBA). I asked Erik to be my campaign manger. With Erik by my side, I won and became the Coleman Class Director for the SBA. Ever since that moment, we have been inseparable. Together we were a powerhouse in Mock Trial. In our third term we competed in the first-ever Mock Trial First Year Competition. We received Best Litigators and beat over thirty teams to receive second place in the competition.

Contrary to what Erik believes, our first date was at Fazoli’s Restaurant. Yeah I know this was a cheap date, but we were broke law student at the time. I remember that day because it was a blizzard that night. We ate and were heading towards celebration movie theatre, but we got lost. The snow was so thick that we couldn’t see anything. At this point Erik and I had known each other for about a month. I didn’t know what stunt he was trying to pull (wink-wink!). However, everything turned out okay; eventually we got back on course, and went to his house and watched a movie.

On Tuesday March 17, 2009, Erik proposed. Of course, I replied with an enthusiastic “yes.” Erik than made the proposal that we elope and get married while we are on our cruise, that is coming up next month. I thought about it and was attracted by the idea of a romantic beach wedding with a beautiful oceanic view, the smell of sensuous Caribbean air, and a fine man to go with it all! With one night to pray and deliberate, we prayed to God for guidance. The following morning everything seemed different—more like everything seemed right—right time, right place, and most importantly the right person. Just plain right!

I couldn’t imagine how law school would have been without Erik. The endless nights of studying, stressing, and praying for good grades may be the reason why Erik has lost five years off his life. Erik made everything worthwhile. God could not have blessed me with a better sole mate. We promised each other that we had to live at least 75 years with each other. Three years down, only 72 more years to go! Things are look pretty wonderful.

Since March 17, we have been endlessly organizing things for the special day. We are going to have a private ceremony on a private beach on St. Thomas Island. Only Erik and I will be there. On May 16, 2009 we are going to have another ceremony that includes our family and friends at the Marriott-University Place, 300 Mac Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 337-4440. Hotel and car rental reservations maybe made at this website: www.tlcexcursionsllc.com.

I graduate from law school on this day, so it will be a joint celebration. Reverend Doss will perform the ceremony and all our family and friends will be there to celebrate our union and my graduation.

The reception will be in the same room as the ceremony and will immediately follow after the exchange of vows. We are going to have a good time. Worship Without Words, the spiritual ministry praise group that I am a member of, will perform two selections. I will give away appreciation gifts. Finally, we will dance the night away.

Please reserve your room and send a contribution of $30.00 for your meal by Tuesday April 14, 2009, to the following address:

Erik J. Walton and Hoganne A. Harrison
213 South Holmes Street
Lansing, MI 48912

Please make check payable to Hoganne A. Harrison

Please select an entree:
1. Beef Dish London Broil (Marinated and served with Mushrooms in a Merlot Demi-Glaze)
2. Chicken Dish-Pasta Primavera with Chicken (Penne tossed w/ Roasted Peppers, Zucchini, Portobello Mushrooms, Roma Tomatoes & Topped w/ Herb Seared Breast of Chicken in a Light Parmesan Cream Sauce)
3. Vegetarian Dish-Pasta Primavera without chicken (Penne tossed w/ Roasted Peppers, Zucchini, Portobello Mushrooms, Roma Tomatoes and Topped with Herb Seared Breast of Chicken in a Light Parmesan Cream Sauce)
4. Please indicate if you are a diabetic (Sugar-free dessert and unsweetened tea will be provided)

The Happy Couple is registered at:
1. Bed, Bath, and Beyond: www.bedbathandbeyond.com
2. Bestbuy www.bestbuy.com
3. Carnival Cruise Line Honeymoon Registry www.carnival.honeymoonwishes.com

Hotel accommodations at the Marriott and car rental reservations can be made at this website: www.tlcexcursionsllc.com. Listed below are the discount codes for car rentals:
Car Rental Discount Codes:
Enterprise - ENTX96
Alamo - 7014303
National - 5026423
Hertz - 205521
Avis - B790000
Budget - X443000

Please email hoganne816@yahoo.com or call (478) 461-2643 by Monday May 4, 2009 with your travel arrangement information.

A special message from all of us:

Erik and I would like to thank the following people:
 Dr. Janet Hogan Harrison (Bride’s Mom),
 Dr. Lucretia Coleman (Bride’s Godmother),
 Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Walton (Groom’s Parents)
 Erin Ramsey (Bride’s Best Friend & Maid of Honor)
пЃ¶ Darryl Walton (Groom's Brother & Co-Best Man)
 Ben Apple (Groom’s Best friend & Co-Best Man)
 Patricia Diaz (Thank you for keeping me in check & banning the color purple—or any other color for that manner—from the wedding dress!!!)
 Charla Dobbins & Terrance Adams (future Charla Adams—March 2010 to be exact—for helping me select a wedding dress, putting together the invitations, programs, travel and hotel arrangements etc.)
пЃ¶ Aunt Hollis and Aunt Louise (thank you for all of the financial support through Spelman College, my masters program, and law school)

This list can go on forever. If your name is not listed, it is not because we don’t appreciate your contribution or love you; it is because carnival cruise line puts a 2600 character limit on what we can say! :)

Thank you to everyone and continue to pray for us.

♥ Love Always, ♥

Erik and Hoganne