You're Still The One

From the moment we met in middle school, there was something undeniable between us. Our friendship was effortless—easy conversations and an unspoken understanding that made every moment feel like it was meant to be. Even after weeks apart, it always felt like we were never separated. But it was in high school, when fate placed us together in the same photography class, that everything shifted. Those hours spent capturing moments together deepened our connection in ways we never imagined. The laughter, the late-night talks, the shared dreams—everything began to feel like the start of something extraordinary. When Shaye asked Kyle to hang out for the first time, it was as if everything had led up to that moment. Our first time together, wrapped in the warmth of each other’s presence while watching The Notebook, was pure magic. It felt as if we had always been meant to be. Just days later, Kyle, with a heart full of nervous hope, asked Shaye to be his girlfriend. Her "Yes!" marked the beginning of a love story that would only grow stronger, richer, and more beautiful with time. But it wasn’t just our connection that was growing—it was our faith, too. From the beginning, we knew that God had brought us together, that His hand was on our relationship. As we navigated life’s ups and downs, we leaned into our faith. In the moments of doubt, in the struggles of distance, and in the moments of joy, we turned to Jesus, knowing that He was the anchor in our relationship. Every prayer, every shared Bible verse, every time we prayed for guidance strengthened our bond in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Distance tested us in ways we never anticipated, but it never stood a chance. When Kyle moved to Stevenson and Shaye went to Villanova, the miles between us seemed impossible at times, but they only fueled our connection. Every weekend became a lifeline—a moment to close the distance between our hearts. Each visit, each conversation, reinforced the unbreakable bond we shared. Even on our toughest days, through the silence and distance, we fought for each other’s dreams, knowing that what we had was worth every sacrifice. And all along the way, we kept God at the center, trusting that He would keep us strong and bring us closer together no matter the distance. As the years went on, the distance grew, but so did our love. We started off just 10 miles apart, and then 113 miles, then 827 miles, and then 2,765 miles when Shaye moved to the University of Washington. And then came the ultimate test—3,404 miles apart when Shaye ventured to Portugal to chase her dream. But no matter how many oceans, countries, or continents lay between us, our love never wavered. We knew that Jesus was guiding us through every challenge. Each day, we relied on His strength to keep us moving forward. Every challenge, every tear, every moment of longing only brought us closer together, reaffirming that nothing—absolutely nothing—could break what we had. After 8.5 years, 7,114 miles, and countless unforgettable moments, Kyle dropped to one knee and asked Shaye to be his forever. Surrounded by our families, that moment wasn’t just a proposal—it was the culmination of everything we had fought for, everything we had prayed for, and everything we knew we would continue to build together. Jesus had been with us from the beginning, guiding us toward this moment, and we were certain He would be with us every step of the way as we entered this new chapter of our lives. Every obstacle, every moment of longing, every second we were forced to be apart was worth it, just to be standing there, united in love, ready to take on forever together. Our love is a testament to the strength of two hearts that are completely committed to one another, but more importantly, it’s a testament to the faithfulness of God, who has been with us through it all.