Fatin and Aja Dantzler, from the popular neo-soul group, Kindred the Family Soul, have been married for 13 years now. We were so happy and honored that they gave us a sneak peek inside of their marriage for our film, Still Standing.
They shared with us that in the beginning, some people were not so supportive of their decision to get married, largely because of their ages; Aja was 19 and Fatin was 24. However, their decision was not just based purely on love. It was also based on a deeper connection that they had with each other. It was about who they were on the inside, about their common goals and what they wanted to accomplish with their lives, and how they saw each other in that.
Aja shared that because of the pressures that they felt in the beginning of their marriage they endured a lot of problems without asking for help. They wanted to prove everyone wrong and they didn’t want people to see them fail. She shares that it is not fair that people “scare the crap” out of couples that are planning to marry. They are very negative because they want to explain the gravity of marriage. She says people should: “Stop invoking a sense of negativity “.....Help people understand the responsibility without telling them that it will be the end of all things me.”
Aja and Fatin share that the key to keeping their marriage together is that they work hard at keeping each other happy. They say you have to want it and work towards making your situation better.
After 13 years of marriage, “Aja and Fatin can proudly say:
“In spite of naysayers and pressures from the industry that we are in, our marriage is still standing because of the mercy of God, and our will and desire to stay married, to preserve our marriage and preserve our relationship.”
BMWK Family – What discouraging remarks did people say when you announced you were getting married? How did this affect you? Do you find yourself being negative when people announce their engagement?
See Fatin and Aja’s story in our latest film Still Standing.