Taylor & Alyssa Countee
Taylor and Alyssa Countee are the newlyweds of this year’s group. The young Wichita couple married in 2021 and have no children. Taylor is a senior cyber security analyst and Alyssa is a nail technician.
When did you meet?
June 6, 2016
How did you meet?
Alyssa – We were kind of set up through my best friend Gena and technically met on our first date. Neither Taylor nor I are big partiers, but there was one night we were both out downtown and I caught his eye. He then reached out to my best friend Gena to try and talk to me.
How was your first date?
Alyssa – I consider our first date when I invited myself to go with him and his friend to see Common at the RiverFest.
Taylor – I don’t consider it our first date, but I’ll go with it 😂
The Turn – how did you know he/she was the one?
Taylor – From the caring nature she shows toward her family and friends and when it eventually became toward me.
Alyssa – As corny as it may sound, I just knew in my heart Taylor was the one pretty early on. There was just something that made me feel like my heart was safe with him. Ultimately, it was his thoughtfulness. Everything Taylor does has intention, and it’s showed throughout our relationship.
What were a few memorable parts of the wedding?
Cutting the cake and the speeches were really memorable.
Who does the cooking?
Alyssa does the cooking, always mindful to eat whole foods, which is the kind of cooking taught in the Turner family household.
What have you learned to appreciate about your wife/husband that you didn’t know when you were first married?
Taylor – Alyssa’s continuous commitment to keeping us healthy and whole.
Alyssa – I’ve learned Taylor is an extremely proud husband and works tirelessly to make sure we’re both happy and growing as individuals and together.
Words of wisdom for other couples?
Taylor – Take your time getting to know your partner to make sure they’re really your person.
Alyssa – As you’re looking for your other half, or even as you’re someone’s other half, your personal growth journey hasn’t ended. We all come to relationships with baggage and hopefully as you’re in your relationship, your partner is helping work through that growth and growing with you.
What movie could you watch together over and over again?
Probably any Marvel movie, for research purposes lol.
What song is on your romantic playlist?
Taylor: “You Don’t Even Know” – The Internet
Alyssa: “The Impossible” – Mariah Carey
Lee & Terri Barnes
Lee and Terri Barnes, Kansas City natives, met in 7th grade at Central Middle School, and eventually found their way to walking down the aisle in 2006. Lee, who recently finished two four-year terms on the KCMO City Council, is a development and government affairs consultant. Terri, founder and president of the nonprofit The Nia Project, is currently serving as the interim executive director of Lead to Read. They have one adult son.
How was your first date?
Because our relationship started out as a friendship, neither of us really remember a first date! After 7th grade, we never saw each other again until we were adults – mid-20s. At the time, we were both in other relationships.
The Turn – how did you know he/she was the one?
After 11 years of dating, Terri told Lee she wouldn’t go another year as a girlfriend. She got a ring for Christmas 2005 and they married the following year.
What were a few memorable parts of the wedding?
It was a beautiful wedding with family and close friends. The couple had an African-themed wedding, complete with an authentic African meal served at the reception, along with dancers and drummers.
Our good friend Elton Gumbel wrote a song for us for our wedding day, “Only God Can Hear.” It was so beautiful.
Who’s more social?
If it is with familiar groups and people, Lee is more social. If it is a group of strangers, Terri would definitely be more social.
Who does the cooking?
We eat out A LOT.
What place within 200 miles would you like to go to spend a few days? What would you do there and why?
St Louis – it’s a little further than 200 miles, but always a great time. We typically jump on the road for a comedy show or concert.
Who tends to be more romantic?
Terri – Lee has his own definition of romance and most of the time his definition and my definition don’t match! If Lee goes to 7-11 for a snack and brings back my favorite candy bar or snack without me asking for it – he would chalk that up as romance. We know – we have work to do!
What have you learned to appreciate about your wife/husband that you didn’t know when you were first married?
Terri – I appreciate Lee’s commitment to family and deep sense of responsibility to Black people and community. We really have that in common.
Words of wisdom for other couples?
Lee – Don’t go in with the idea that you are going to change that person. Make sure you appreciate who they are, as they are.
Terri – Love who you have and not who you want them to be … Don’t make excuses for bad behavior.
What song is on your romantic playlist?
For Terri, it would be KEM’s entire body of work. For Lee, it would be Cameo, Confunkshun and Luther Vandross.
