Our Story
How We Met
Robert’s Version
As the story goes, I noticed MopeninuJesu first. She stood out from the rest of our med school class as the shortest (and most bald-headed) girl in the room. At a classmate's game night during the second week of school, we started talking, and MopeninuJesu made the first move by asking for my number. We started flirting, shared music, went rock climbing, and started exchanging video messages.
For seven months, we remained "just friends," sometimes studying together, sometimes going out to dinner, but all the while sparks were flying, and feelings were growing along the way. On the night of med school prom, I waited eagerly for MopeninuJesu to arrive. She arrived fashionably late, showing up just an hour before the party ended. (It takes time to look so stunning!) Later that night, I asked MopeninuJesu to be my girlfriend.
Over the next three years, we continued to grow together and enjoy each other's company. We’ve studied together, attended friends' weddings, and traveled between California and Baltimore to build relationships with each other's families. In May 2025, I proposed to MopeninuJesu at Ray's on the River, surprising her not only with a ring, but with all her friends and family from Baltimore. We are thrilled to be getting married this May and can't wait to celebrate our union with all of you.
Robert Blakes
GROOM
MopeninuJesu’s Version
Robert and I met during the second week of medical school in July 2021 at a game night for underrepresented minority M1s. Even though we were wearing masks and I could only see half of his face, I still thought he was cute and wanted to get to know him more.
Since we were all in one big group chat, I found a sneaky way to get his phone number by asking which number was his. 😉 As the night went on, we talked about music, life, and everything in between. I even tried another pick-up strategy by asking him, “If there were an album that described you, what would it be and why?” His answer: Red Hearse. I listened to the entire album over the next two days, just so I’d have an excuse to talk to him again.
After the night ended, I texted him to tell him the carrot cake he brought was delicious, and from there we spent the next several weeks getting to know each other — slowly and unexpectedly falling into something more. Although we chose to remain friends for a time, life had a beautiful way of bringing us back together.
In February 2022, around his birthday, we rekindled our spark and officially started dating on March 5, 2022, after attending Cadaver Ball — and the rest is history. The past four years have been filled with so much love, adventure, growth, and unforgettable memories. I am so grateful for the journey that led me to Robert, and I couldn’t be more excited to spend the rest of my life with him by my side.
MopeninuJesu Oluyinka
BRIDE
The Proposal
On May 10, 2025, beneath a soft curtain of rain at Ray’s on the River, Robert asked MopeninuJesu to spend forever with him. As he dropped to one knee, promising a love that will weather every storm, she said yes. He surprised her not only with a ring, but also with her close friends and family from Baltimore. They are excited to begin this next chapter together and can’t wait to celebrate their union with all of you.