Who would’ve thought that two young people, born and raised in Jackson, TN, could live their entire lives in the same city, graduated from the same school system, and never cross paths? That’s exactly how our journey began. Aaliyah, a proud graduate of North Side High School, and Gerren, a Jackson Central-Merry alumni , had never met—despite sharing the same hometown and mutual friends. It wasn’t until fate stepped in during a family emergency that their worlds finally collided. Aaliyah was working in the emergency room at West Tennessee Healthcare Jackson General Hospital when she recognized a familiar face—a former high school classmate who happened to be part of the Hudson family. As they caught up, Aaliyah noticed someone new, someone unfamiliar yet very intriguing and handsome. A little curiosity (and some social media research with a close friend as girls do lol) led her to send a simple friend request and message to Mr. Hudson himself. That one message turned into a conversation, that conversation turned into spending time together, and from that moment on, they became inseparable. Their love grew, their bond strengthened, and together, they built a beautiful life and family—one that now includes their precious daughter, Kaylee. From two strangers in the same town to soulmates creating a lifetime of memories, their love story is proof that when it’s meant to be, fate will always find a way. And now, here we are—celebrating forever and I do.