William Shakespeare penned, “The course of true love never did run smooth.” There are few statements as real or true. Love is a journey; and a relationship requires massive amounts of time, commitment, trust, and patience on top of said love. One amazing couple, Dwayne and Theresa Bowe know this all too well, but they are committed to one another and the process–one we get to see weekly on OWN’s newest reality series, “Love Goals!”

Theresa Bowe and Dwayne Bowe

“Love Goals” brings together married couples in a group setting where each pair are forced to confront the issues plaguing their relationships. Family, friends, infidelity, and fighting all come to the forefront. Although it makes for great television, the real gem is the work done to restore and repair the love, trust, and understanding between these couples. When it comes to The Bowes, the outright drama is a bit toned down, but nonetheless moving. Dwayne is a former NFL player who since retirement has embraced his original passion, music, and is now a rising star in the rap world under the moniker of “Money” His wife, Theresa, besides being an amazing mother is a successful realtor and businesswoman.  After Dwayne’s retirement Theresa thought they would have more time together, but Dwayne’s commitment to his music and his friends’ constant circling left her dismayed and feeling pushed aside. Meanwhile, Dwayne felt it was his responsibility to uplift his friends, and remain grounded by keeping them around.

The couple sought out counseling via OWN’s “Love Goals,” instead of private counseling, due to their faith in the network. “Well it was more so the opportunity that came from the OWN network [sic]. So we were against reality TV, we were very private about our lives, but we knew going this route we would have the best of the best. It was going to be no shortcuts especially when you’re dealing with the OWN network [sic]…” Theresa reveals. Dwayne admits he too had some reservations, despite having already been in the public eye as a professional athlete and now rapper. “I was more reserved. You know when I retired I felt my life was going to go under the radar…Then like you said it’s always trying times in any relationship and when they said the young lady, Spirit [relation expert/therapist of “Love Goals”], and they said it wasn’t TMZ, it’s Oprah…those are the main people I follow, I was sure it would be something positive, pretty reputable. We did it and I recommend it for anybody else…”

Besides, The Bowes, other couples included Benzino and Althea Heart, formerly of “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta;” actress and former “Basketball Wives” star Sundy Carter and Breyon Williams; former Salt-n-Peppa group member Dee Dee “Spinderella” Roper and comedian Quenton “Q” Coleman, plus rapper/actor/chef and producer Coolio and his fiancé, Mimi Ivey. With so many different personalities and relationships in one place, you might expect The Bowes to be a bit dismayed. “…seeing it day one it was very intense. You watch TV and you see people’s lives and you think that it’s fake; then you get to meet them in person and you realize that it’s real. And him [Dwayne] and I we’re not you [sic] know at each other’s throats, we’re not disrespectful to each other. Just to see certain things in real life. The first episode I was super shocked the whole time. My whole facial expressions showed it. I was just like wow…” Theresa reveals. Dwayne, however, relays how trust was his first big challenge on their first day through an unlikely exercise. “…the first day they put us through so much training. When you watch it they had me like fifty feet in the air walking a thin line blindfolded, just her voice. They said I could hear her but I really can’t hear her. So it was real tough. It just made me realize who I got in my corner and to really focus in on the prize.”

Easily the most moving discussion with The Bowes comes from Theresa’s revelation of having been molested by her mother’s boyfriend as a child and how subsequently it affected her marriage. It was a secret not even Dwayne knew until she revealed it in a session on the show. “Through the experience we touched on childhood trauma, and we touched on me being molested at twelve years old. He never knew that, so him having all the guys around was just because he was use to it. So this is when I realized my husband loves me because after I told him that dark secret that I held my whole life, I saw him making changes when we got home…and had I told him sooner I think things would have been different.” Dwayne confirms the changes and then went on to state; “It was just the space I was in. When you’re playing a game where you’re around twenty people everyday, and then you’re doing music and you’re around twenty people everyday…and then I’m a businessman, a family man…I just had to put everything in order…” Theresa has opted to use her experience to create a children’s book and movement, “Don’t Touch Me” to teach children how to recognize sexual predators–strangers and those they know. With these tools she plans to do a school tour and has created a song to accompany it.

We have to say we love Dwayne and Theresa, and are more than happy this entire experience was beneficial for their marriage. The Bowes are now going strong eleven years and counting, and that is a true “Love Goal” for us all. You can view their entire interview with Kontrol Magazine’s Executive Editor & CEO of HeyMikeyATL.com below! You all be sure to catch “Love Goals” every Saturday 8/9c PM only on OWN!

They say there is “power, wonder working power” in The Word of God, and few seem to understand this contemporarily like Todd Dulaney. For years now Todd has wowed us with one amazing Gospel hit after another, bringing a much needed Millennial flare to the Black Church. It all went down at “The Gathering Spot” near Midtown Atlanta, where members of the press were able to learn more about Todd’s anointed and powerful new EP, “Back To Basics.”

Todd reveals he decided to actually sing Proverbs and Psalms straight from The Bible because of how powerful, prophetic, and full of wisdom many of them are. “There’s so much power in The Word of God, and I’m just shocked no one tried to do this before…” He also went on to tell why entitled his latest EP, “Back To Basics.” “I felt it was time for us to get back to what The Word is really saying. I feel the church has gotten lost in politics, and personal viewpoints…Church is about God and connecting with Him, there’s no room for that. When church is no longer about Him, then what are we doing?”

Michael “Hey Mikey” Fanning & Gospel Artist, Todd Dulaney

“Back To Basics” has been met with rave reviews, with a true yearning from his audience to primarily hear him sing the scripture. “It’s really amazing to me. You know I have a whole body of work and songs for them to hear, but they screaming, ‘We want to hear that Word, where is it?’ It’s humbling to me and God’s way of letting me know I’ll never have a song that’s a big a hit as His actual Word. I’m just in awe and grateful to be His instrument…” When you see the way the audience reacts during live tapings of Todd singing from The Bible, you cannot help but be moved. The man has a divine calling and it show in every word and every note.

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@todddulaney1 talks on his new EP, “Back To Basics,” and how the Church needs to be re-centered and out of politics. 🎥 @heymikeyatl/ @heymikeyshow ————- #CelebrityInterview #ToddDulaney #GospelArtist #music #EP #BackToBasics #HeyMikey #HeyMikeyATL #atlantablogger #MichaelJFanning #Mikey #radiopersonality

A post shared by Michael Fanning (@heymikeyatl) on Mar 4, 2020 at 6:18pm PST

Todd admits he carefully chooses which proverbs and psalms he will sing, especially when it comes to those from King David, who could be a bit contradictory morally and behavior wise (having Bathsheba’s first husband put at the front line of battle to be killed so he could have her for himself or when he sings on slaughtering his enemies). He reveals to our very own Michael “Hey Mikey” Fanning that his favorite scripture, however, is not a psalm or proverb, but instead comes from Second Chronicles, Chapter Five, Verses 13-15. Check out the video of him discussing why he is drawn to it so much below:

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Check out a clip from my interview w/ Gospel artist, @todddulaney1 reveals his favorite scripture, Second Chronicles Chapter 5, Verses 13-15, and why it stands out to him. ———- #CelebrityInterview #ToddDulaney #GospelArtist #Bible #scripture #SecondChronicles #WordofGod #HeyMikey #HeyMikeyATL #atlantablogger #MichaelJFanning #Mikey #radiopersonality

A post shared by Michael Fanning (@heymikeyatl) on Mar 4, 2020 at 4:03pm PST

We have to tell you we are here for Todd’s push to get back to basic with the church, its teachings, and reconnecting with God, while modernizing it. We loved every minute of meeting him and cannot wait to see what is next for him. One thing is for sure, when he comes to Atlanta we will be front row and center!

Duty calls! That is what seems to be implied as Queen Elizabeth has requested Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex, return to the United Kingdom for a royal event with their son Archie in tow.

As you recall, the royal couple decided to step away from being senior members of the British Royal Family after months of turmoil and mistreatment largely from the British press and tabloids. Some of the outlets even referred to their son as a monkey!

via People

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could be returning to the U.K. next month for their last round of official royal engagements.

Queen Elizabeth II reportedly requested that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who will no longer be using their “royal highness” titles, join the royal family for the annual Commonwealth service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, according to The Sunday Times.

Meghan, 38, and Harry, 35, are expected to attend the event with their son Archie, who will have just turned 10 months old.

Following the appearance, the couple will return to Canada where they are beginning to settle into their new non-royal life after their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family.

We definitely hate Harry and Meghan have to deal with this, but wholeheartedly support their decision to do what is best for their marriage and their family. Let’s just hope the British press does not make this last round of royal events for them any harder.