Recipes of Love

By Juwanna and Jennifer Only

This inspiring and passionate memoir takes readers on the emotional journey of events, places, times, and situations from the love story of Juwanna and Jennifer Only. It includes when and how they met, different places they have traveled, and what has kept their love strong, happy, and resilient. The stories are all about their unique recipe for

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Oct 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798822906990

Juwanna and Jennifer Only

Both Juwanna and Jennifer Only were born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Between them, they have over 50 years of work history and 47 years and counting of marital experience. Combined they have six children and three grandsons.Juwanna Only is a former U.S. Marine. He has 14 years of experience in corporate America and over 20 years of law enforcement experience, where he mainly served as a crisis negotiator and a detective in various units. He has also earned a BA in professional management from Nova Southeastern University. Juwanna is pursuing his Life Coach certification for individuals and couples. He enjoys painting, basketball, working out, and traveling the world with his wife.Jennifer, previously Jennifer Land Robinson, is a retired payroll and human resources specialist with over 33 years of experience. She worked for one of the largest beer companies in the world, where she held various positions. A few weeks after marrying Juwanna Only, she decided to retire and pursue her purpose and passion. Jennifer has a degree from Phoenix University and is also a certified mental health first responder. She is also pursuing her Life Coach certification for individuals and couples. She enjoys bicycle riding, writing, painting, reading, and using her creative skills for wedding and party planning.Over the years, individually and as a couple they have consistently been sought out by friends and family for advice and guidance. This has led them onto the path of counseling, motivating, and coaching. The idea for Recipes of Love came from their motivation to help anyone who wants love, has lost love, wants to strengthen their love, or just wants to improve themselves. It was built from experiences Juwanna and Jennifer have had throughout their lifetimes, which they wish to share with the world.

Book preview

Our Story

(Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and beyond our journey begins)

Saturday August 24, 2019

Jennifer

I was headed to a backyard BBQ. I was really tired from working that morning but when I got home I cooked the taco dip and decided I would still go to the cookout. On my way to the cookout, my GPS kept giving me the wrong directions and my friend was not answering her phone. I finally made it to the right address and then misplaced my car keys after I parked. Coupled with how I was feeling and everything that had already happened, I thought to myself, I should just go back home, but instead, I composed myself and went inside to the BBQ.

Juwanna

I promised I would bring a peach cobbler dessert to the backyard BBQ even though I had prior commitments. My thought was to drop off the peach cobbler, say hello to my Aunt Miyoke, and leave for the other event I was supposed to attend. As soon as I walked around the corner of the backyard, I saw the most gorgeous, most delightful, sexist, and classiest woman I had ever laid my eyes on.

Jennifer

It was really hot outside and the bugs were eating me alive,so I got up to go inside and cool down. As I walked inside the door, I heard, Can you open the door? from an unfamiliar and strong voice. I turned around and saw this tall, dark, handsome guy standing right behind me at the door that I had just entered and let close, unbeknownst, in his face. I immediately began to apologize and asked if I could help him with the other door.

Juwanna

Even though I saw her beauty, I saw so much more. I could just feel that she had a good heart, a good spirit, and was a kind person. As I approached her after she slammed the door in my face, she offered to not only open the first door but also the second door because I had my hands full with the pan of peach cobbler. I did a quick scan and noticed that she was not at the party with anyone, so I struck up a conversation with her.

Jennifer

After the door debacle, I stayed inside out of the heat and away from the insects and Juwanna stayed inside also. I was thinking he wanted to get out of the heat also but I later learned he wanted to get to know me better. We had several discussions about family, sports, and our status (single, dating, or married). A few hours later, I was getting a little tired and decided I would go home. He asked if I wanted to take some peach cobbler home with me, and I told him I didn’t know there was any peach cobbler at the party. He chuckled and stated that the peach cobbler is what he had in his hand when I closed the door in his face. I told him, "My mother makes the best peach cobbler so I declined his offer. However, he insisted that I get a small piece. I obliged him but I was sure it wasn’t going to be that good. Once I got home and tried the peach cobbler, it was actually very good, second to my moms. I immediately got a little mad because I had gotten such a small piece of his cobbler.

Juwanna

Earlier, I wanted to ask her for her number so we could continue our conversation, but a hint of fear of rejection seeped in because there were people around. Being Juwanna Only, I shook off the nerves and said, take my number and let me know if you like the cobbler. She put her number in my phone and later that night, Jennifer called and told me the peach cobbler was amazing and that she wished she had gotten a bigger piece. We talked a bit afterwards but I was unsure if we would ever speak again.

Jennifer

After talking with Juwanna, I thought he was only being nice. I didn’t think he was trying to hit on me, I felt he was only being a nice guy.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Juwanna

I found it odd that I went to sleep with Jennifer on my mind and woke up with her on my mind. This had never happened to me before. I tried doing things around the house such as cleaning up, working out, and steaming the floors, but I could not get her out of my thoughts. I knew I wanted to see her again, so I texted her and asked if she wanted to join me for brunch after church. I was in the shower when I heard my phone vibrate. I knew (rather I was hoping) it was Jennifer. I looked at my phone, and it was her saying, Yes, we can meet. I texted her back and suggested meeting at Biscotti’s at 12:30 p.m.

We met and immediately started talking and sharing about our lives. The conversation really flowed, and neither of us realized it was as late as it was, 4:00 p.m. We only ended our conversation because she had promised her grandson she would go bike riding with him. Later that night we continued our conversation over the phone.

Monday, August 26, 2019

Jennifer

I had errands to run and thought I would ask Juwanna if he wanted to meet me for dinner at Firebirds restaurant. He said, Yes, of course. We decided to meet at 6:00 p.m. We did not leave until well after the restaurant had closed. The host came over to let us know that they had to clean our area and that they were closed. The conversation had once again been so effortless and engaging that we lost track of time and didn’t realize how late it was.

Juwanna

By Monday, I had only known Jennifer three days, but it felt like years. Our conversation was natural, our chemistry was strong, and everything about our time together seemed so right. As early as it may have been, it was in these moments that, I realized I had met my soulmate, and she was a gift from God. I was never going to let her go.

Jennifer

By the end of our first unofficial date on Monday, I thought, Chivalry isn’t dead. He