Back before dating apps existed, when MySpace was still a thing and “driving around” was the social event of the weekend, Malia and her friends spent a lot of time cruising around Omaha meeting up with people. (And yes, parents, we promise it wasn’t as sketchy as it sounds!) Somewhere along the way, Malia and Grant found each other online and realized they ran in the same Omaha Catholic High School circles. Grant was at Skutt, Malia was at Roncalli, and if you know Omaha, you know that world overlaps… a lot. After some subtle flirting and what can only be described as an aggressive number of 20 Questions games, they decided to meet up. And like all great love stories begin… they met in a Taco Bell parking lot conveniently located equidistant from their parent's houses. From there, Grant picked her up in his Jeep (which Malia loved) and drove her out to Bennington Lake, one of her favorite spots. They spent the night talking and getting to know each other, and in true Malia fashion, the night was soundtracked almost entirely by One Direction. And at the end of the night, Grant did exactly what you’d hope — he walked her back to her car like a complete gentleman, still hoping for a goodnight kiss. But Malia, being both a traditionalist and incredibly stubborn, refused to make the first move. Grant didn’t know it yet, but this was his first lesson. Luckily, her stubbornness worked out in his favor… because he went for it anyway, kissed her goodnight, and they lived happily ever after! At 17 and 18? Okay, not quite. What actually happened was something even better - they built a real friendship. Malia went off to college, dated other people, and somehow, through it all, she and Grant stayed close. In fact, they kept growing closer. Could it have been because he cracked her code and started asking for her help debating people in his government class? Possibly. But she was none the wiser. She even tried setting him up with her friends (unsuccessfully!) because she thought he was “so cute and the nicest guy." Which is honestly bold... but also a terrible long-term strategy. None of the others worked out — but Grant did. And when Malia was finally single again, he wasted absolutely no time. Really, we mean it. He showed up at her dorm the very next day to help her pack and move out for the summer. They waited a very respectful two weeks before officially dating… and from there, it was game over. Ten and a half years later, here we are. They’ve spent the last ten years growing together, building a relationship centered on faith, grounded in friendship, and guided by a daily commitment to love each other selflessly. And that’s what makes their story so special. Because it didn’t start at the perfect time. It didn’t follow a straight line, and it didn’t happen all at once. But it found its way — exactly when it was meant to. And now, it’s forever. So here’s to a love that started in a Taco Bell parking lot, survived college, bad setups, and impeccable timing, and turned into something truly lasting.