High school sweethearts Kevin and Melissa Fredericks have a love story that is almost exactly as we see in movies. Kevin, most known by his stage name Kev on Stage, noticed Melissa in class during their junior year, and couldn't help but pass her a note to let her know. While the couple may differ on the small details of that day, what they do agree on is that their love for one another is unwavering.
"I loved her from the moment I saw her," says Kev on Stage. "But, I knew she was the one in college during Air Force ROTC, and everyone was talking about where they wanted to be stationed after college. I didn't know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to go; I just knew that whatever or wherever it was, I wanted her there with me."
Fast-forward 20 years later, and the Fredericks are showing us day-by-day that Black love still exists. Now working together as business partners, after spending many years in different fields, the couple shares that looking back, they never imagined this is how life would end up.
"Remembering to have fun together has been essential for us. Doing things together that allow you to remember that the person you fell in love with was your friend first."
Melissa Fredericks
"We're almost twenty years in this thing, and communication is so important. I would even say that the longer you're in a relationship, the more important it is to communicate," shares Melissa. "But I would also add that remembering to have fun together has been essential for us. Doing things together that allow you to remember that the person you fell in love with was your friend first. We talk about this in our book, Marriage Be Hard, in addition to being honest, transparent and vulnerable."
"Also, remember that you both are on the same team," adds Kevin. "We both have to be on the same page to win. I focus on the fact that Melissa is my teammate and partner, not my enemy—especially during an argument."
As the couple continues to grow their family business and build the Kev on Stage brand, they work to adopt this same model into their routine as well. For them, it's about being intentional at all times. While they may not agree on everything behind closed doors, when it comes to stepping out in the public eye, they make sure they're in-stride with each other.
"When I think about a family business, I think about our actual family household and how we do life together. All of these things have to be talked about and negotiated, and you have to make sure you're on a united front," explains Melissa. "You don't always have to agree to have a united front. At the end of the day, once we leave the threshold of our door, we're lock and key. That's so important."
Despite their busy careers, the Fredericks are still very hands-on in raising their two sons. Even if their schedules call for them to be away, they make sure to block out an equal amount of time at home, too.
"We have this saying that balance is a myth for us. We don't balance, it's more like a pendulum," explains Kevin. "We swing very far into busy, then swing very far into rest and relaxation. We do our best to be present where we are, while giving enough time and energy to the thing at that moment. So, one day we may focus on business things that help better our career and then the next we'll pass on business opportunities to ensure we show up for our sons."
"Life is really a flow. When we try to balance, what happens is we think that we're multitasking. But, you're really just doing a bunch of nothing and nothing getting anything done because you haven't committed to getting a thing done at that moment or day," adds Melissa. "That allows you to free up the next day to put all of your energy and focus into something else."
"I can't force my dreams onto my sons. Their lives are theirs to be lived. We're here to raise them, support, guide them, and help them find their path. That's the basis of parenthood."
Kevin Fredericks
Like most parents today, Kevin and Melissa are raising their sons to be well-rounded humans. They're instilling things like it's okay to be yourself, it's okay to show emotion even in sad times and so much more.
"I can't force my dreams onto my sons," shares Kevin. "Their lives are theirs to be lived. We're here to raise them, support, guide them, and help them find their path. That's the basis of parenthood."
As for the couple's definition of Black family, they have this to say: "It's warmth, protection, love—it's all of those things. That even extends beyond your immediate family. It's being seen and valued for who you are. Not having to code switch and having to be apologetic about the way you talk, look, or dress. To us, that encompasses the Black family."
