We have gathered here today to celebrate the life and legacy of Mary Jane Blige

Dear Mary, 

What can we say that hasn’t already been said? What you’re about to experience here, on TOMARYWITHLOVE.com, is evidence of just how much you mean to US, Black folk in particular, Professional Black Girls especially. We love you DEEP. And we could not let this milestone birthday pass without giving you your flowers. 

This website is living testimony of all that you are and all that you have been – to us and for us. 

First things first, if you didn’t press PLAY on the homepage, go back and do that right now! You back? Cool. Now, go to “REAL LOVE” and experience just that: REAL LOVE by way of more VOICEMAILS reminiscent of “Leave a Message” (Sis! Your friends and family love you!!); heartfelt LOVE LETTERS from folks whose lives you’ve touched and shaped; ARTICLES that give us insight on the mark you’ve left on the culture; and VIDEOS of some of your biggest fans. After that, check out the ARCHIVE, a collection of some of the boots that you’ve rocked throughout your career. And not just pictures of the boots, but data (click on the boot and see what we mean). But do you see that boot though?! You are THE Boot Queen, so if we’re celebrating you, we have to celebrate your boot game (and just so you know, we’ve started a PETITION. We want the boot, Sis. Thanks!). This archive was collected and curated with love by The Gates Preserve.

We know you’re somewhere lush and lavish, giving thanks for your life, but go ahead and check out YOU’RE INVITED to see how we’ll be celebrating you on your day ALL DAY LONG (including a LIVE mid-day Instagram MJB set by DJ Reborn!). Social media’s bouta be LIT with #ToMaryWithLove. And lastly, please take a moment to read our THANK YOU to ALL the people who helped to make this happen, for you and absolutely because it’s for YOU. 

From the bottom of our hearts and the top of our lungs, we’re singing happy birthday to you--the MLK version of course. We love you. In real life. FOR REAL. 

Happy Birthday, Mary!!!

With LOVE, 

Yaba, Tarana, Syreeta and Karen

#teamUS always and forever

We would like to thank the dream team who supported us with making this happen:

Misa Hylton・Nicole Jackson・Twin Beatz LLC・Melissa Kimble・Nadirah Simmons・Ashley Mui ・ Cindy Rene・Eric Iverson・Tianni Graham・JP Reynolds・Sallome Period・Herman Jean-Noel・Omi McIntosh・Chris Moncrief・Queen Loany・Kleaver Cruz・DJ Reborn