Jacob and Kayla met in a 6th grade reading class at Coyle Middle School. Introduced by friends, they clicked immediately. Throughout the year, they became closer and closer until they realized that they had a crush on one another. In August of that year, Jacob and Kayla talked over Skype and text nearly every day. Kayla initiated a converation about dating when she asked Jacob if he liked anyone. She said that she did and that his name was “Bocaj” (which is Jacob spelled backwards....clever, 12-year-old Kayla). About a week later, he texts Kayla saying that he liked someone too, her name is “Alyak”. And so it began.

Kayla and Jacob are middle school and high school sweethearts. They have literally grown up together and have gone through all kinds of changes. From deaths in families to graduations and promotions, they’ve always been a team. They just moved into their first apartment and are still learning more about each other, even after 8 years. Through all of the changes and experiences and growth that they have gone through, they managed to come through it together. Faith has played a huge role in Kayla and Jacob’s relationship. In 2018, they started attending a church called CityLine where they met people who helped them come to know and build a relationship with Jesus. Once they re-centered their relationship around Christ, they were even more unbreakable. These two are meant to be and are excited about their future together. Together, they can conquer any obstacles they face.

2020 was a year filled with major ups and downs. All of the things that happened in this couple’s life this year, brought them closer to each other and more importantly, to God. In August 2020, Kayla and Jacob took a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica where they were able to get a break from COVID and decompress. While they were leaving the airport, they stopped into a jewelry store to look at watches and necklaces. Kayla spotted some engagement rings and (of course) she had to look. They ended up finding THE ring, and bought it there on-site. Finally, on December 23, 2020, Jacob and Kayla decided they wanted to go look at Christmas lights. That’s when Jacob’s proposal plans came to life. He gathered some friends and arranged to have them there to help document the proposal and surprise Kayla. Kayla had her suspisions when they first arrived at Altruvian Park in Addison but was distracted when they bumped into Jacob’s friends who “coinsidentally” showed up. While his friends took their picture, Jacob dropped to one knee and asked! Of course, she said YES!!