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The Swirl World

Celebrating and Elevating Black Women - mind, body, soul and spirit!


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Love Connection, French & Jamaican – On Facebook!

July 29, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Facebook Love Connection

Two people made a love connection – on Facebook? Facebook? It can be a wonderful place – and it can also be a pit.

Let’s be real: Facebook – heck, the internet – is unique in that on the one hand, it’s an online space where you can connect with people who are witty, charming, funny, and just plain ole fun.

On the other hand, Facebook is sometimes a very scary place filled with trolls spewing hateful, racist rhetoric, and just plain ole idiocy.

Yet, like anything else in life, it’s all in how you use and approach it.

Thankfully, in the face of all the negativity that seems to run rampant on Facebook and other internet spaces, you can still find wonder. And delight.

And love.

Sometimes, you can make a love connection.

They Made A Love Connection – On Facebook!

I’m happy to report that today’s featured couple, Ludovic Delaveau and his gorgeous wife Melissa Wallace-Delaveau, didn’t allow the less-than-stellar aspect of Facebook to derail them.

Instead, they found each other – and found love as a result!

Melissa tells their story in her own words:

“Hello everyone! I will try and make this as short as I possibly can because this has been a wonderful and blessed journey for me since 2011.

My husband and I met on Facebook in late June 2011.  He is French and I am Jamaican.

He came to see me in my country in August of that same year and the rest is history. We got married in Jamaica in 2013.

In 2014 I moved from Jamaica to France (away from my family) to join my husband.

We now have a wonderful sweet, loving son named Tyler who is 10 months old. It wasn’t an easy journey for me but thank God we made it out safely.

I give thanks for being a Mom to a biracial child. Motherhood gets better with each passing day.

For me it’s not so much that our son is biracial, but rather I get to watch him grow up in two different cultures, two totally different worlds. He is getting the best of both sides.

My husband is the sweetest, loving, shy, humble, and all the other good words I can find. Lol! With all his flaws we love each other more than anything in this world.

One thing that keeps our marriage fresh and healthy is that we remind each other constantly how much love we have for each other.

And don’t get me wrong – we are not perfect by any means. Like every couple we have our flaws but we don’t argue or shout. We have calm discussions to solve our concerns.

We enjoy being married we love spending time with each other; travelling and exploring the world.

I’ll just leave it here for now because I could go on and on. God favors me. Blessing and lots of love to you all!”

Melissa’s parting advice?

“Love as if it’s your last time. Be patient – your Love will find you!”

Keep Up With The Delaveaus

Melissa and Ludovic have their own YouTube channel. To learn more about them (and listen to their delightful accents!) click here.

To learn more about Jamaican cooking, with step-by-step demonstrations and great recipes, watch Mel’s Kitchen episode on YouTube by clicking here.

You can also follow Melissa, Ludovic and their sweet baby, Tyler on Instagram @the_delaveaus.


We love to feature singles (and couples!) in our posts. If you’d like to be featured, please email a nice, high-resolution photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. Selfies are ok – just make sure they’re not blurry.

Copyright ©2016 Michelle Matthews Calloway, The Swirl World™ LLC, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photos used with permission.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and apply to join our private Facebook Group!

50 Days Of DatingTo catch the latest installment of “50 Days of Dating” click here. Will Rachel make a love connection? Sign up for email updates to ensure you don’t miss a single episode!

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Filed Under: 2016, 2016 Posts, Black Women Living Well, BW/WM, Interracial Families Tagged With: Black women, challenge, children, France, French, interracial marriage, interracial relationships, Jamaica, Jamaican, life, living well, love, Ludovic Delaveau, Melissa Delaveau, swirling, White men

I Took A Sexy Hip Hop Class!

July 20, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

Sexy Hip Hop

Hip hop class, and a sexy one at that??!!

Um, not me – Tobi-Velicia Johnson!

We often say this, yet it bears repeating: The overarching mission of The Swirl World is to see Black Women living their best life.

To facilitate this, we encourage BW to get out of their comfort zones and try new things.

We’re pleased and happy to report many BW are doing just that. They’re living the life they love and loving the life they live.

One such BW is Tobi-Velicia Johnson, our Single of the Week and a member of our private Facebook group.

In today’s post, Tobi-Velicia shares a recent escapade: taking a MadHaus sexy hip hop class at Flirty Girl.

Here’s her report:

That’s What Friends Are For

Tobi-Velicia & LaTonya

Tobi-Velicia & LaTonya

“Ballet is my dance style of choice, but as promised, I went to the MadHaus class with a friend who braved her fears recently to take a ballet class with me. She had never taken a ballet class before, so the least I could do was attend a hip hop class with her.

Looking The Part

In preparation for the class, I decided that I needed to “look the part.” I couldn’t very well wear just a leotard and tights to a sexy hip hop class, could I? — or at least, not pink tights.

I selected a cute black leo with a pink bodice, some fabulous sheer patterned black tights, cropped black hoodie, short leg warmers, and hi-top Converse gym shoes. Hey, I may have been setting myself up to feel ridiculous attempting hip hop moves, but I was going to look fabulous while doing so! 🙂

Flirty Girl On Point

I arrived early at Flirty Girl. The decor was pink, black, and white. So far, so good–my favorite colors. I told the nice girl at the front desk that I would be a guest of a member, and she set me up with an account. While I waited, I surveyed the lobby. I glanced to my right and immediately noticed that there was a fully-stocked Flirty Girl WINE BAR!!! Very elegant, cool, and girly.

I turned left and saw that there was a Flirty Girl nail and hair spa. Another amazing concept for a girl’s gym. Once my account was set up, I proceeded to go to the dressing room.

The workout rooms, including the pole-dancing room, were spacious and gorgeous–everything in pink, black, and white. The locker room and bath facilities were beautiful and there were pretty pink towels available to use while working out.

Let’s Get This Hip Hop Started

Sexy Hip HopMy friend LaTonya arrived and we walked into the class together. She introduced me to the MadHaus instructor, Monique, who was friendly, welcoming, and fit. Monique explained basics of the class and told everyone to have fun.

The class started promptly at 9 am. Dance moves were slow at first and then the pace picked up. I was able to do most of the dance moves but I have to admit, I had a hard time doing simple jumping jacks during the warm-up. My body wanted to do sautés à la seconde with port de bras. The instructor told me to just “do what you feel.”

Hmm, Not Bad!

I worked up a good sweat during the cool and sexy dance combinations…and then glanced at the clock. OMG it was only 9:12 am!!! More than 45 minutes to go!

At 9:35 am, we had a break. My friend LaTonya did a “FB direct” video which I video-bombed by dancing in the background. I knew that anyone viewing the video would only see my face and not the booty-shaking I was doing.

Break was over and we continued the combination, a bit faster and a few more moves added. Toward the end of class, we did nice, slow stretches.

Even though MadHaus is not my style of dance, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I may even go back and try other classes.

Back That Thang Up!

Sexy Hip HopWhen I arrived home from class, I was proud and content that I had tried something new. Smiling to myself, I logged onto FB to view LaTonya’s FB direct video.

OMG!!! I didn’t know that she didn’t immediately start back with the rest of the class after the break–she RECORDED some of it! There I was, in view of the whole entire world, “backing it up” for the camera!

All’s Well That Ends Well

All in all, I had a good time at Flirty Girl and I plan to go back sometime. :-)”

To connect with Tobi-Velecia on Facebook, click here.

Join in the Fray: What will you do this week to get out of your comfort zone?


Copyright ©2016 Michelle Matthews Calloway, The Swirl World™ LLC, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Text and photos used with permission.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and request to join our private Facebook Group!

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Filed Under: 2016, 2016 Posts, Black Women Living Well, Fantastic Fans, Fun & Games, Guest Blog, Swirling Singles Tagged With: ballet, Black women, challenge, dance, dance lessons, goals, hip hop, life, living well, love

He Says, She Says: Attraction

July 15, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Attraction

Attraction.

Either you feel it for someone, or you don’t.

Known as “The Southern Swirlers,” Millennials Angelique “Angel” Long and Jonathan Gamel are back with another installment of our new series, He Says, She Says.

For each installment, we’re posing the same question to Angel and Jon.

Our purpose is to glean some insight not only into the male and female perspective on the same question but more important, from the perspective of a Black woman and a White man involved in an interracial relationship.

A Question Of Attraction

Today, Angel and Jon respond to the question:

What attracts you at first glance?

Jon He Says: Jonathan

At first glance, a woman’s body language is what attracts or deters me. She has to carry herself like a “Lady.” Not so much prim and proper, because I am in no way a model for manners.

I believe at first glance, based solely on body language, most people can form a fairly accurate opinion of a person’s character. It may sound crazy, but I believe “Body Language” can transcend just physical interaction.

Most of the time we meet people for the first time these days over social media. So, your “Body Language” on social media is in what you post, what you share, and how you interact with your “Friends.”

Other factors that can increase (or decrease) attraction? Things like the way she speaks to waiters and waitresses; how she handles a small mishap at the cash register; if she holds the door for someone behind her.

Does she post pictures with her family or friends in the club? The “Body Language” will tell it all!

Angel She Says: Angel

What attracts me to a man at first glance are his eyes. I truly do believe that the eyes are a “window to the soul.” If you have a warm soul, most likely it will be evident through your eyes. Of course, that is only based on my personal experiences and opinion.

The next thing would be his smile. For some reason, I have an obsession with a gorgeous smile. However, just because a man has a nice smile and loving eyes, it doesn’t make him a candidate for dating me. He has to possess so much more: good character, respect, manners, ambition, intelligence, and confidence.

Never date someone SOLELY based on their physical appearance because good looks can change, but a good man will always be a good man.

Join in the Fray: What features/factors attract you at first glance?


Got a question for Angel and Jonathan? Send it c/o ASwirlGirl@TheSwirlWorl.com.

To connect with Jonathan and Angel, “Like” their Facebook page by clicking here.

 

Copyright ©2016 Michelle Matthews Calloway, The Swirl World™ LLC, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photos used with permission.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and request to join our private Facebook Group!

 

 

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Filed Under: 2016, 2016 Posts, Black Women Living Well, BW/WM, Fantastic Fans, He Says, She Says Tagged With: Black women, interracial couple, interracial relationships, interracial romance, life, living well, love, White men

Love & Swirling, Long Distance Style

July 13, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

Long Distance Swirl

Long distance relationships.

Many of us groan at the thought of dating someone who lives in another city, much less another state.

Some people refuse to date long distance – they give an emphatic “No!” and two thumbs down to the notion of even engaging with someone who lives more than a certain number of miles away.

(Nixing LDR’s is also the reason why some people won’t attempt online dating – but that’s a post for another day).

Long Distance Relationships – A Yay Or A Nay?

What about dating someone who lives in another country??

Well, Shelly Palmer and Carl King are the poster kids for how to master love and swirling, long distance style.

We’ve featured them on the blog in this post and today, we’re happy to share their story.

Enjoy!

Long Distance SwirlShelly And Carl’s Story

“My name is Shelly Palmer and I live in Jamaica. My better half, Carl King lives in the Baltimore, MD area.

We met in September of 2012 on the dating site Ok Cupid. I initiated the conversation because when I read his profile I thought he had a great sense of humor.

To my surprise he responded and we started dropping each other messages every day. I actually never expected the kind of attention he started giving because his profile stated he was not interested in a long distance relationship.

One message became numerous messages per day, until we moved over to Skyping every day. Finally, we met in December of the same year when he came to visit me in Jamaica.

From then on we have been inseparable.

Having a long distance relationship is extremely difficult. It takes a lot of time, patience, a lot of communication and most importantly, trust.

We have however, managed to combine our differences, such as culture and personality into something extremely beautiful.

Carl proposed to me in March of this year. We will be married in November of this year with both of our families and friends in Jamaica in attendance.”

Congrats to Carl and Shelly. Come November, we’ll have exclusive wedding photos!

 Join in the Fray: Long Distance Relationships: A Yay or a Nay?


Today’s featured couple is Carl King and his fiancé Shelly Palmer.

We love to feature couples (and singles!) in our posts. If you’d like to be featured, please email a nice, high-resolution photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. Selfies are ok – just make sure they’re not blurry!

Copyright ©2016 Michelle Matthews Calloway, The Swirl World™ LLC, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photo used with permission.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook!

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Filed Under: 2016, 2016 Posts, Black Women Living Well, BW/WM, Fantastic Fans Tagged With: Baltimore, Black women, Carl King, engagement, interracial couple, interracial dating, interracial relationships, Jamaica, life, living well, long distance relationship, love, Shelly Palmer, wedding, White men

Just Like Fingerprints

July 5, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

Just Like Fingerprints

Marriages are like fingerprints; each one is different and each one is beautiful.


 

Today’s featured couple is Lewis and Traci Lowe.

(Side note: Traci was once featured as our “Swirling Single of the Week.” She & Lewis met and married within the next 18 months. IJS!)

We love to feature couples (and singles!) in our Inspiration Daily posts. If you’d like to be featured, please email a nice, high-resolution photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. Selfies are ok – just make sure they’re not blurry!

Copyright ©2016 Michelle Matthews Calloway, The Swirl World™ LLC, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photo used with permission.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook!

 

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Black women, interracial marriage, life, living well, love, Traci and Lewis Lowe, White men

Your Relationship Will Last If You Do This

June 30, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

Your Relationship Will Last

Want a relationship that will last?

Do this!

The only way a relationship will last is if you see it as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take.
Click To Tweet


We love to feature couples in our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please email a nice, high-resolution photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. Selfies are ok – just make sure they’re not blurry!

Copyright ©2016 Michelle Matthews Calloway, The Swirl World™ LLC, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photo property of The Swirl World™ LLC.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook!

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Filed Under: 2016, 2016 Posts, Black Women Living Well, BW/WM, Travel Tagged With: Black women, interracial couple, interracial marriage, interracial relationships, interracial romance, life, living well, love, White men

It’s Time For Black Women To Think Differently!

June 18, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Think Differently

Let’s face it: in respect to some specific aspects of life, we can each stand to think differently.

Sometimes, just sometimes, our viewpoints may be a little outdated . . . even antiquated.

And my goodness, when we get on the subject of meeting people, much less dating, a mental reset may be in order.

To Smile Or Not To Smile?

In this “Unscripted” podcast episode, Co-Host Adrienne London Leach addresses the question: “To smile, or not to smile?”

She covers some of the reactions she encountered from European men on a recent trip to Scotland and the UK.  Based on her observations and experiences, Adrienne provides 3 easy tips Black women can apply if they are interested in meeting more people men.

Adrienne also shares an incident she and her best friend Regina experienced when Regina decided to employ the 3 tips.

Listen up. – and then make a conscious decision to think differently.

Make a conscious decision to think differently.

Apply the 3 tips.

(In other words, act differently).

Meet more quality men.

Repeat!

If you can’t see the podcast player, click here or here.

If you can’t see the Sound Cloud player, click here. You can also head over and listen to the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, Spreaker or PlayerFM.

Shout Out!

Do you attend Sunday School?

If you’re a Sunday School attendee (and even if you aren’t!) we’d like  you to check out Waynell Henson of ThatSundaySchoolGirl.com.

ThatSundaySchoolGirl123M

 

Head on over to her website and Facebook page now – we’ll be featuring her on a podcast in the near future!

 


Want to be a guest on The Swirl World Podcast, or know someone who should?

Send an email to Podcast@TheSwirlWorld.com.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio. You can also hear us on PlayerFM!

Copyright ©2015 The Swirl World, LLC, Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Feature photo property of The Swirl World, LLC. Photo of Waynell Henson used with permission.

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Filed Under: 2016, 2016 Posts, Black Women Living Well, Podcast, Shout Outs, Unscripted Tagged With: Black women, change, life, lifestyle change, living well, love, podcast, positive change, positive thinking, think differently

He Says, She Says: Installment 1

June 16, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

He Says, She Says

So, last week we introduced you to millennials Angelique Evette Long and Jonathan Gamel and our new, He Says, She Says feature.

Each week, we’re going to pose the same question to this couple.

Our purpose is to glean some insight not only into the male and female perspective on the same question but more important, from the perspective of a Black woman and a White man involved in an interracial relationship.

Keep reading – you’ll see they’re not shy about giving their opinion!

Today’s Question

Today, Angel and Jonathan respond to the question:

Black women get a LOT of flak from seemingly all sides in relation to their dating practices. What are they doing right when it comes to dating?

He Says, She SaysHe Says: Jonathan 

I really don’t believe that there is a quintessential “right” or “wrong” way to go about dating in general. Each individual has a background that is just as unique as they are. So I believe that putting a “right” or “wrong” label on someone’s approach at dating would be unfair. Instead, I would prefer to use “misguided” rather than “wrong.”

Society today puts so much pressure on young women to be the perfect shape, size, and color. For example, in a lot of ways society praises the half-naked, slim physique, lighter skinned woman; while also not shunning, but not fully accepting a professionally dressed, full-figured, darker skinned woman as equally attractive in most cases.

So many beautiful young women are being broken by society’s standards. If a woman does not feel confident and worthy within herself, how can she possibly approach dating in a healthy manner, with a positive outlook? In my opinion, this is what leads to extreme promiscuity, self-exploitation via social media, and self-harm.

The lack of confidence and self-worth caused by not fitting into what society calls “attractive” is, in my opinion, the reason why there are so many
females that feel like they’re doing it “wrong.”

On the other side of the equation, we have the women that society praises for their looks. I believe this causes an overly confident belief system. Society, in general, is teaching this set of women something totally different from what they are teaching the others.

For example, they are taught that they are “better” because of their body shape, skin color, or the way they dress themselves (or the lack thereof). Although these women are being praised, they are still being broken by the same system.

Each set of women is being played against the other for various reasons. On one hand, you have a broken young woman who has always been told
she wasn’t “good enough.” She will almost always lack the skills necessary to approach dating in a positive, confident manner. This can cause her to do things out of her character in hopes of attracting a man.

Unknowingly, the same things catching the attention of potential temporary suitors are also the exact things that may deter a potential long-term partner.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, you have an equally broken young woman because she was always told that she was “better.” She will almost always lack the skills necessary to approach dating in a realistic, humble manner. This can cause her to be overly confident, and have an exaggerated self-appraisal. This exaggerated sense of self-appraisal will deter potential long-term partners because she believes that nothing is ever good enough for her, in various aspects of life.

Both sets of women are equally broken by the same system!  They have been “misguided” from adolescence. The actions that they take are not
“wrong” because that is what they have been taught by society. Yet, they are extremely misguided.

This doesn’t just work for different physical appearances; it can be attributed to many other aspects of a young woman’s life. I don’t believe a person can be considered “wrong” for doing what the world around them has taught them to do.

Ultimately, you have to be yourself and do what is right for you. Keep your head held high and remember; love yourself first!

He Says, She SaysShe Says: Angel

Answer to Question 1:

When it comes to what Black women and women in general, are doing “right” in the sense of dating, I believe it’s definitely being confident; knowing who you are and owning it.

You have to know your worth so you won’t keep dating the wrong men.

Also, do some serious introspection. If there are characteristics that you feel are unhealthy for yourself and other people, then change those things in order to be a better YOU; not just because you want to be liked and accepted by someone else.

Men love a confident woman; they see it like this: “If a woman can love herself this much, I can imagine the love she has to offer me!”

Question 1 – Part 2

As far as what women are doing “wrong” when it comes to dating, I would have to say not loving yourself. I say this because when you truly love yourself, you value your mind, body, and soul. Therefore, you do what is necessary to keep those things healthy. When you do that, you will naturally be attractive to men.

Think about what most men want from a woman: intelligence, well-kept, confident, and classy. Not to offend anyone at all, but I don’t believe a good man is looking to date a woman who shows off her body inappropriately on social media and to the public, or a woman who is giving her body to multiple men at one time.

So reverting back to what I said, when you love yourself you value yourself.

I know many women may be thinking, “Well, I am very confident and I always carry myself like a lady, yet I still cannot find a man!”

I want to let these women know that they should not be discouraged; and by all means, never degrade yourself to catch the attention of a man. When the time is right, your Prince Charming will come and sweep you off of your feet! Just be patient; it will be worth the wait, trust me.

 


Join In The Fray: Got a question for Angel and Jonathan? Send it c/o ASwirlGirl@TheSwirlWorl.com.

See you next time!

Copyright ©2016 Michelle Matthews Calloway, The Swirl World™ LLC, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photos used with permission.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and request to join our private Facebook Group!

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Filed Under: 2016, 2016 Posts, Black Women Living Well, BW/WM, Fantastic Fans, He Says, She Says Tagged With: beauty, Black women, dating, dating advice, interracial couple, interracial relationships, interracial romance, life, living well, love, self image

Loving Day Is Today!

June 12, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 1 Comment

Happy Loving Day 2016

Today Is Loving Day!

Loving Day 2016I never tire of reading about the wonderfully compelling love story of Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving.

In June 1958 they decided to buck the tide of ignorance and racism and pursue their American dream: to spend their lives living and loving each other in holy (and legal) matrimony.

The “Crime” Of Interracial Marriage

They had to go to Washington, DC for the ceremony. Even so, they were arrested in their own bedroom in the middle of the night by sheriff’s deputies for the “crime” of interracial marriage.

Richard and Mildred were prosecuted by the state. They were sentenced to a year in prison for their “crime,” but allowed to leave Virginia.

For 5 years they lived in exile, separated from their families and banished from the home state they loved.

Mildred and Richard finally grew tired of the fact that they couldn’t live as a married couple in any state they wanted to live.

Fighting Back

They decided to fight back.  In June of 1967, nine years to the month they were married, a decision was rendered in a landmark Supreme Court case.

They had won. At long last, Richard and Mildred had the right to live and live in marital bliss anywhere in the United States.

Their decision to fight back changed the legal landscape for interracially married couples.

Sadly, the Supreme Court decision didn’t end racism, hatred, ignorance or intolerance. These days, turning on the evening news is almost a sure-fire way to remain painfully aware of the fact that racism – whether inherent, overt or covert, real or imagined, never seems to be far from the surface.

I’m grateful for the advances that have been made, yet I’m mindful of the fact that 1967 was merely 49 years ago.

Nevertheless, interracial couples (we’re especially partial to those featuring Black women!) flourish and thrive because the actions of this brave couple paved the way.

A Bittersweet Ending

The Loving’s story had a bittersweet ending. In 1975, 17 years after their marriage, Mildred Loving lost her husband Richard in a tragic car accident. Mildred died in 2008 but she never remarried.

In a statement issued on the 4oth anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision (June 12, 2007 – the year before she died) Mildred declared:

“ . . . not a day goes by that I don’t think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the ‘wrong kind of person’ for me to marry.”

So Grateful!

I thank God for Richard and Mildred Loving, and for them having a love for one another that transcended the climate and laws of their day.

Richard and Mildred, today we celebrate you – and we celebrate love.

Happy Loving Day!


Today’s featured couple is Karla and Don, both retired Navy veterans.

They have been married for 22 years.

Karla and Don were first featured on the blog in 2014. To read that post, click here.

Karla and Don also were featured on a series of podcast episodes:

Podcast Episode 032 – Life, Love and Marriage – In the Navy!

Podcast Episode 033 – How To Manage a Long Distance Marriage

Podcast Episode 034 – The 3 Key Ingredients Necessary for Attracting a Quality Mate

Podcast Episode 035 – “My Parents Tried To Diss The Woman I Love!”

—

To learn more about Loving Day and support a crowd funding project launched by Williesha Morris, click here.

—

We’d love to feature YOU in one of our posts! If you’d like to be featured, please email a nice, high-resolution photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com. Selfies are ok – just make sure they’re not blurry!

Copyright ©2016 Michelle Matthews Calloway, The Swirl World™ LLC, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photo used with permission.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and request to join our private Facebook Group!

 

 

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Black women, interracial couple, interracial marriage, interracial romance, Karla and Don, Karla Fears, life, living well, love, Loving vs. State of Virginia, Mildred Loving, Richard Loving, Supreme Court, White men

Interracial Couples & A Slovenian Photographer

June 10, 2016 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

For me, seeing photographs of interracial couples inspires such joy.

Photographs like this one.

A Slovenian Photographer & Interracial Couples

They range from breathtakingly beautiful, to haunting and mystical, to downright quirky and fun.

Regardless of the setting, they feature ordinary people experiencing extraordinary love.

For The Love Of Interracial Couples

That’s where Slovenian-born photographer Matjaz Tancic comes in.

Matjaz TancicMatjaz, or “Matt,” as he is affectionately called, is passionate about photography. In particular, he’s drawn to photographing interracial  couples.

A Slovenian photographer based in Beijing, China, Matt contacted us a few months ago.  He was  in New York City working on some photographic projects.

Matt wrote us and said,

“I am really inspired by your story and the beautiful Swirl community you have created. As a photographer with the eye for everything beautiful, I would be really interested to photograph some mixed raced couples while in NYC. Later on I wish to continue photographing mixed couples also in China and later on in Africa to show the love, beauty and understanding.”

Matt was kind enough to offer free photography sessions to the couples we sent his way.  That’s right – FREE!

He also gave us permission to share the photos on our website and social media.

An internationally known photographer, Matt has been photographing for Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire,  and Fast Company just to name the few.

Woot!

Podcast Interview

Our Adrienne London Leach had the opportunity to chat with Matt about his beautiful country of Slovenia. He also told Adrienne about why he’s so passionate about photographing interracial couples.

Enjoy!

If you can’t see the podcast player, click here or here.

If you can’t see the Sound Cloud player, click here. You can also head over and listen to the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, Spreaker or PlayerFM.

Shout Out!

Amber Wright1Our shout out for this episode goes to Conversation Coach Amber Wright, MA of TalkToAmber.com. Amber says, “Getting what you want – from the boardroom to the bedroom – is all about having the right conversations.”

Talk To Amber is the place on the web for bloggers and entrepreneurs who want to step up their public speaking game. I love tuning in to Amber on Periscope – you can find her there, on Twitter and at other places on the web at @TalkToAmber.

 


Want to be a guest on The Swirl World Podcast, or know someone who should?

Send an email to Podcast@TheSwirlWorld.com.

Be sure to “Like” The Swirl World on Facebook and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

You can also follow us on Sound Cloud and listen to the show on Stitcher Radio. You can also hear us on PlayerFM!

Copyright ©2015 The Swirl World, LLC, Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, The Swirl World Podcast™, The Swirl World Inspiration Daily™, Swirl Nation™, All rights reserved. Photos © Matjaz Tancic. Used with permission.

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Filed Under: 2016, 2016 Posts, Black Women Living Well, BW/WM, Fantastic Fans, Podcast, Special Guests, Travel Tagged With: Black women, interracial couple, interracial relationships, life, living well, love, Matjaz Tancic, photography, Slovenia, travel, White men

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Welcome!

I’m Michelle Matthews-Calloway, and I’m A Swirl Girl! Greetings to you from The Swirl World. We encourage Black women to expand their relationship options by dating and marrying interracially. Our overarching mission is to see Black Women live their best life. Come Swirl with us in The Swirl World™, where we celebrate Black women and the diverse men who love us!™

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