Actress Diane Fahr wrote a book about issues facing interracial couples called, “A True Story of Love and Race and Happily Ever After.”
One of the couples profiled in the book is Dave and Lisa Tyler.
“I had never dated a black guy before, and I remember telling my family I have this new boyfriend, he’s black,” Lisa Tyler said. “I had some friends be like, ‘really, you’re dating him? why are you dating him?’”
Lisa Tyler’s family had issues with the couple dating. Her mother did not help her plan her wedding — calling it “frustrating.” Her family were worried about how it would be for the kids — once the couple had them.
“At that time, it didn’t make me feel bad at all, Dave Tyler said. “I knew I loved her.”
WATCH TODAY SHOW’s COVERAGE HERE
[MSNBCMSN video=”http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640″ w=”592″ h=”346″ launch_id=”43754507^3370^286610″ id=”msnbc512dbd”]
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
According to Lisa, once her family got over the shock of the relationship, Dave was accepted into the family.
As for the concern over the mixed-race children, Dave said, “My child was my child.” They taught their kids to be proud of their mixed race.
The couple gave advice — saying “you want your family to be happy, too. You need to be straightforward with what it is that you want…. “don’t let the attitudes of other people drive how you live your life.”