
Elisha & Michael Beach's Love Story Went From 'Friends With Benefits' To Marriage

We love a good love story. And Black Love Doc, a series about the love stories of Black people, famous and not, gives us everything we didn't know we needed about the complexities of life and love. Some of the greatest love stories ever told lie here—from Tamia and Grant Hill, to Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, and our faves, DeWanda Wise and her husband, Alano Miller—they're all proud to tell their story about their love and how it works for them.
So, when Michael Beach and his wife Elisha decided to tell how their relationship began, we couldn't help but listen. And the best part is the two found their way to each other, after being casual friends with benefits.
"We met through a mutual friend that introduced us, I think really just to have a lil' fun with each other. Like, it was so not serious, I had just broken up with a guy and you were separated at the time, right?"
Michael jumps in:
"Yeah, I was separated from my first marriage, I had four kids already, and I was like 'no way am I doing that again, no way.' And I made it clear! I was like, 'you know if you wanna have fun, let's have fun but uh, I was almost forty and I was like, I already have my responsibilities, I'm taking care of them this and that. I know she's young, so there's no way you would get serious and maybe married to someone that young and without having more kids, there's just no way."
The couple laugh now at the irony, because they've since added four more to the bunch.
Things ultimately took a turn for the two when Michael offered for her to stay at his New York home so she wouldn't have to travel as much while he was away in Los Angeles with his kids.
"There was one night we were in the bed and he says to me, 'I just need you to know, this isn't going to go any further than this.' And I was like, okay...I didn't really ask. [laughs] We openly were not monogamous for a very long time. It changed much quicker for me than him, obviously. I think for me it was the coming to LA with him, it just kind of happened...somewhere in there, he was the only guy I wanted to be with. We can just be with each other and it's enjoyable. Then I was like comparing every guy that I went out on a date with, with him, and they were not living up to it. I caught on to the falling for him, much more quickly than he did."
And 19 years later, the rest is history. Love to see it!
But their lives since their non-traditional start, is also anything but traditional. Michael's ex-wife lives with them as well.
"If you would have 15 years ago—even 10 years ago—I would have been like 'nah." But it runs so smoothly, it's crazy."
Elisha adds:
"It's very odd. But with his work schedule, and never knowing what's going to happen, when it's going to happen, where's he's going to have to be...Davis was born and when Davis hit two months, he was in Australia, France, South Africa, Atlanta...he was gone for like five and a half months. If Tracy hadn't been here, I would have died or killed one of my kids, whichever one came first. There was no way I would have made it through that time without her help. At all. It just would not have happened."
Do what works for you!
Watch the full bonus clip below:
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Featured image by Michael Beach/Instagram
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage