By Elisa Mitton

Twenty-two years ago when Jamie Adjetey-Nelson and Stefanie Burch briefly met at the Legion National Youth Track & Field Championships in Sudbury, Ontario, they knew it was something special. Well, he did, but it took him an entire year to work up the courage to talk to her. And he did just that the next year at the same event in Calgary.
 
The pair lived in different cities at the time and wrote letters to each other throughout their high school years. They finally began dating when they entered their first year of university and became Windsor Lancers. The rest, as they say, is history.
 
Eighteen years and two children later, the two continue to be happily married living in Windsor. However, things have not always been easy for the Lancer alumni. As an interracial couple, Jamie and Stef have faced many obstacles and know that not everyone supports their union. "We are not blind to the fact that there are people that do not agree with our relationship," said Jamie. "In our country and around the world, we have seen the looks and heard the negative comments."
 
Although some people may still not agree with interracial marriage, acceptance has come a long way over the past 50 years, in part thanks to Mildred and Richard Loving and Loving Day.
 
Loving Day is the anniversary of a historic court decision supporting interracial marriage, and every year on June 12th, it's a global day of visibility, education, and community.
 
The story of Mildred and Richard Loving began in 1958 when the pair was arrested for being married because they were an interracial couple living in the state of Virginia.
 
After being banned from Virginia for 25 years, the Loving's took their case to the U.S. Supreme Court where their lawyers argued that laws against interracial marriage came from slavery laws, intended to oppress Black people, and based on white supremacy. Nine years after their arrest, the Loving's won their case on June 12th, 1967, striking down all state laws against interracial marriage in the United States and opening doors for couples around the country.
 
For Jamie and Stef, Loving Day is a day of remembrance and reflection. "We choose to acknowledge this day because even though it was a legal victory, we remember the sacrifice that Mildred and Richard Loving made," Stef commented. "The circumstances they had to bear and the separation of their family was something they endured so that many interracial couples could love each other publicly in their communities. Even though interracial relationships are still a problem for many. The Loving's actions was movement that has allowed the world to see our relationships in our streets, in our school and even on our televisions. Their love was transforming to North America."
 
The couple is very cognisant when travelling and their comfort level plays a real factor in their decisions to experience the world. In every day life as parents every decision they make has their children's safety top of mind. "We have to think of our children's everyday experience. We have to consider their school, sport and what community programs they attend. Much of our focus is on our sons' emotional development about who they are. At the ages of 4 and 6 years old, we have addressed their identities, racism and inclusion. We speak to them about some of the obstacles they may face as they navigate the world around them. Our approach is to teach them positive affirmations to encourage pride and confidence."
 
The Loving's laid the groundwork for equality in relationships regardless of skin colour.  Now it is up to interracial couples and frankly, every human who is an advocate for equality, equity and inclusion to pass the baton in this journey to educate and advocate interracial relationships.
 
"Do not be naïve about the fact that some people are not going to agree with your relationship," Jamie said when asked if they had any advice for new interracial couples starting out. "There will be direct comments, microaggressions and people staring at you. It is important to have the conversations about the situations with each other. Let each other know what you feel is valid. It's okay to be upset about it and it is okay to use you voice. Just remember that person or people do not matter. They do not walk in your shoes and they do not love whom you love. Embrace the fact that you have connected beautiful cultures, personalities and family experiences that make a more inclusive world."
 
To learn more about Loving Day, visit the official website at www.loveday.org or visit their social media channels at @lovingday.