The Backstory
When we started working together in September 2017, Derrick asked me:

“Amari, where are all the good guys and how do I find the one for me? I’ve tried all the dating sites and they’re all garbage. Everybody just wants sex; nobody seems truly interested in a relationship. Should I just accept that I’ll be single forever?”

At 33, Derrick was a total catch by modern standards. He was exceptionally handsome, a successful lawyer, and had already bought his first home.

“But what’s the point of being this successful if I don’t have anyone to share it with?”

Derrick came out later in life and, before we worked together, had never been in a relationship that lasted longer than a few months. 

The Love Blocks
Derrick’s relationship readiness gaps included unrealistic partnership expectations, emotional guardedness, and very little dating confidence resulting from his inexperience.

On paper, everything looked great. But underneath the surface, Derrick described himself as “complicated.” He admitted to being risk-averse when it came to approaching men, emotionally distant at times, and not the most expressive when it came to affection or communication.

He didn’t do FaceTime. He wasn’t a fan of texting. And despite being a take-charge type of person in most areas of life, he wasn’t at all confident with taking charge of his love life.

“I think some brothers get confused about how I really feel,” he told me, “which I guess is a defense mechanism.”

The Breakthrough

The same walls we put up to keep pain out actually keep love out while keeping us trapped inside—but the walls never actually stop the pain.

Over the course of six months, I helped him set realistic relationship expectations and soften the defenses that were getting in the way of deeper connection. We developed a dating strategy that honored his direct communication style while helping him become more emotionally present and receptive to love. 

The Bond
Less than a month after completing our work together, Derrick started dating Vince in April 2018.

The couple got engaged on their 5th anniversary, tied the knot on their 6th anniversary. In Derrick’s words to all the guests at the wedding reception:

“I would not be the man I am today, as far as my relationship, without Amari. I took Amari’s coaching and I don’t mind telling, because sometimes we think we know what we’re doing but we keep running into walls. You gotta learn the lesson.”

The couple welcomed their first child shortly after their 8th anniversary in 2026.

Is Your Love Story Next?

If you’re ready to master your romantic magic, the next step is to schedule a 1-on-1 consultation with me.

During our session, we’ll assess your relationship goals, identify your dating strengths & skill gaps, and create a customized plan to develop your skills to lasting love levels within the next 3-12 months.

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Amari Ice is a gay love coach, matchmaker, and master hypnotist who helps successful singles master their romantic magic by developing their dating skills and becoming their own matchmakers so that love becomes inevitable. Take the free Dating Skills Quiz to discover your dating skill level.