By Samantha McKenzie

Our Dawnie is getting married! Yes, I mean in a few short days, she will be walking down the aisle, tying the knot, jumping the broom and creating a brand new life with Calvin B.

While she continues the frenzy of finalizing last minute details, talking herself in and out of what jewelry to wear, revisiting the guest list and going for that final dress fitting, I wanted to take this time out to share a little bit of Ms. Dawn S. Onley.

A citizen of the world, with an infectious spirit, when she’s in your presence, you will be forced to think bigger. She’s not just passionate about one thing in particular, she IS passion. She lives and breathes to be better and to help others see their very own unique thumbprint. To her, life is meant to be lived.

She’s a “don’t talk about it, be about it” woman, who sets her sights high, then stretches even higher and works towards its glorious success. Check her passport, her diary and her heart and you’ll see. It’s ironic how such a big soul could live in a petite body like hers, she must be hiding some superpower (wink!)

She reminds us all of life and its grand possibilities.

She’s Joy and Bob’s middle child and baby girl whose eyes sparkle. She’s Nay-Nay and Bobby’s brave sista soulja. She’s DeAngelo’s loving mommy. She’s Tia’s first best friend and cousin. She’s Lisa’s confidant, best friend and sister from another mother. She’s her Nana’s pride and joy. She’s my soul twin. She’s everybody’s favorite aunty, best godmother, and endearing friend. She has friends and pen pals, co-workers and travel buddies all over the world. I’ve come to understand that she’s just blessed enough to be our inspiration. She belongs to everyone.

When I met Dawn in college, she greeted me with a huge grin and a welcome spirit. We both had passions bigger than our young souls could carry, but we were dreamers and we had a hunger for more. We wanted to change the world, save the children, stomp out homelessness and fight the power. Through the years, I watched her chop down many trees in life’s forest and use the wood to build a bridge to her next destination.

You know her. And if you don’t, you know someone just like her.

Her name is Dawn. She rises.

This weekend, join me in wishing Dawn a wonderful start to a new sweet life. May your union be a force that multiplies your joys ahead. Be the dawn of your new day. You deserve it all!