So here’s a little story…about Jack & Diane. Except he ain’t Jack and I’m damn sure not Diane 😉.
But if you want to know a little more about us keep reading!
Walter was born and raised in the Bronx. He is a New Yorker through and through. From his talk to his walk he’s New York everything. He grew up in The Bronx one of 4 children to two parents who moved from South Carolina to New York to start a new life. He has older children that live and work in The Bronx that we adore and a daughter who just graduated high school and is on her way to live with us and attend college here in Ohio.
I was born in Columbus, OH and spent the majority of my life in a small town an hour south of Columbus. I grew up with two middle class parents and a brother in the suburbs of a small town. Far from any city life. Our childhoods were worlds apart except for the one common denominator-parents who loved us.
I moved from OH to Huntington, WV in 1999 to earn my B.A. in English from Marshall University-Go Herd. After college I moved back home and spent a few years working off my student loan debt in a local factory. Shout Out to all my old coworkers at Calmar-Factory workers are the backbone of this country and I loved them all like family. When the factory closed I began my career as a professional nanny. I have been a nanny for over a decade and started a local networking group called The Dayton Nannies a few years ago.
Then one random night about 8 years ago both Walter and I were on Twitter. He in New York and Me in Ohio both bored and lonely and searching for something. We didn’t know that one retweet later would lead to us talking all night. And then the next night. And the next. For months. But that’s the power of social media, and 6 months later Walter bravely hopped on a bus and came to see me in Ohio. I, like an idiot, went and met him. I laugh now because I would lose my mind if Jaz ever went to meet a complete stranger from NY that she met off of Twitter. But…it worked…and 6 months later we were engaged. We married April 5th, 2014 and neither of us would change a thing. We’ve faced a lot of challenges in our short time together But show me a couple that hasn’t. Then in 2016 Jaz came along, and our family gained a crazy insane wonderful source of light. She lights up our world and along with Bronx (our husky) she keeps us on our toes! Fast Forward a few years later and here we are. I’m a full time Nanny and Mom and Walter works for the Auto Industry. We are regular average every day folks. We are excited to have this platform and get to know you all. So now you know about us, tell me about YOU! Where are you from? Drop your hometowns in the comments below. Every night before bed Walter and I read through the comments and would love to see where everyone is from!
The Chandler Crew 
I love you guys so much! Pam, thank you for being a fierce mentor and friend. And thank both of you for giving me that gorgeous, spunky, sweet, God Baby of mine! Keep changing the world!
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We Love You!
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I’m grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. Now in Northern California. Retired. A “senior.” Utah was a great place to grow up but I never learned anything about what it meant to be black. My elementary school was 100 percent white except an asian or two. Junior High was different – on State Street in what is called the “ghetto” of SLC. (If there really is such a thing). Although they kept us kids in “tracts” in school and I didn’t really meet many black, hispanic or other kids of color except for one biracial girl that moved into our neighborhood. We befriended her to only find out later that our Mormon Church wouldn’t allow her to get married in the Temple! We lost her as a friend, and I’m sad to say, I was too unaware of what was going on to reach out to her or help her. Still a thorn in my side that I hadn’t been more assertive. Or bold.
Fast forward. Moved to California. Started paying attention after Ferguson and supported BLM although our conservative friends had very different view.
My wonderful niece married a super nice black man … kind of like you two. They have a son who is 6’5, beautiful, smart, leaving for college this year. And younger beautiful daughter. My niece recently shared they had to give their son “the talk” when he was 16 and starting to drive. Included their daughter, just to be safe. This guy, my grand-nephew – is so sweet and kind … that broke my heart that they had to give him “the talk.”
I have been trying to educate myself A LOT the last few months. I know I’m white, have racist tendencies although I’ve tried to overcome them for most of my adult life. I’m joyful that neither of my daughters have a racist bone in their bodies. They love and accept gays, blacks, … everyone. It seems obvious to them.
Your story moved me. Sounded a lot like my niece. I’m proud of you for speaking out and sharing your story.
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Absolutely LOVE your story!! When it’s meant to be, it will be!! Born and raised in New York & still here! Be well and stay safe. Your daughter is absolutely GORGEOUS. Blessings to your family!
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Thank you!
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Beautiful story, beautiful family. Hi, I am from Dunwoody, Georgia.
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You seem like such lovely people, I will bookmark and return! Love from Sweden
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Hey. I’m from South Africa, and everybody knows our history of apartheid. I’m also a white woman in a relationship with a non-white man (he is classified in SA as “Coloured” which is not considered a racist term here, it is simply a cultural group that is a wonderful mixture of black African, Khoi San, Malaysian, Indian, white Afrikaans, etc).
I have learned so much about my privilege as a white person, as well as his experiences as a non-white man, due to our gentle, non-judgemental conversations around race and culture. Having said that, most of the time, I’m not aware of the racial differences between us because we’re just us.
I’m also an academic and psychologist, and I have decided that it is my moral duty to open up similar non-judgemental conversations with my students and clients (of all cultural groups) to help people see the subtle ways in which white privilege and structural racism function in our lives. For example, here in SA, I can go into a grocery store with my giant handbag with no problems, but an African man has to leave his backpack at the front door of the store, because he may steal… Most white people don’t even notice the double standard until it’s pointed out to them. Sad.
Keep on being yourselves, love each other and your gorgeous little girl, and surround yourselves with people who support and care for you. And thank you for speaking up, every conversation helps.
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