Macale first met Myrick at a Clemson cheer clinic in February of 2016 — both were seniors in high school, filled with excitement for college ahead. When Macale spotted Myrick, she immediately thought he was super cute (and usually there were not cute, straight boys at these things). Without hesitation, she walked up to him and said, “Hi, do you want to stunt with me?” Myrick didn’t even get the chance to respond before Macale had him throwing her in the air…and that day, a friendship we never could’ve imagined began. For the next couple of months, we spent multiple nights a week stunting and simply enjoying being around each other.

It was the week of Macale’s senior prom and she still didn’t have a date. Her mom finally marched up to her room one evening and said, “Macale, you are crazy if you don’t ask that cute boy to prom!” So, she did. Myrick received THE text while he was at youth group — and boy, was he excited! It was a resounding yes! Just a few days later, we were all dressed up and walking into senior prom together, and it turned out to be one of the very best nights.

Not long after prom, Myrick asked Macale on their first official date. Of course she said yes, and he showed up in his blue punch bug and 5-inch salmon shorts (Bailey’s core memory). We went to the new, hot pizza place in Greenville, Grimaldi’s (which became Macale’s favorite for the next 10 years). The sparks were undeniable, and we had the very best time together. But with Myrick heading to Clemson and Macale bound for Auburn for Graphic Design, we decided — as 18-year-olds — not to date and instead just remain friends. Little did we know that decision would give us the absolute best foundation for the next 10 years.

Though she loved Auburn, Macale deeply missed cheerleading. So she transferred to Clemson, and Myrick was very excited — he lobbied Coach Tori hard to let us be partners. Alas, that didn’t work out, but we still had the joy of cheering on the sidelines of Death Valley together for 3 years. Through it all, we stayed side by side as the very best of friends, supporting one another through wins, losses, and even while dating other people.

Fast forward a few years — Macale had just moved home from Orlando, FL and Myrick was living in Anderson, waiting to commission into the U.S. Navy. Naturally, being back in the same place meant we were going to make the most of it. We started hanging out “just as friends” again…until Macale needed a date to a wedding in Charleston, and Myrick was the obvious choice. So off to Charleston we went, and that weekend everything shifted. We had all the butterflies, the best time, and finally shared our first kiss (yes, after 7 years!!). That summer, we were basically dating, soaking up every moment. But with Myrick leaving for OCS in the fall, the timing just wasn’t right. We went our separate ways but held tight to the friendship that had carried us this far.

Since Myrick had left for the Navy in the fall of 2022, we hadn’t spoken or seen much of each other, except during the holidays when he was home. Still, the feelings were there — and the friendship remained. Then came April 2024, when our mutual friends Jake and Mallory got married. It would be the first time we’d see each other in about 18 months. Macale’s POV: I was so nervous going into this wedding weekend knowing I’d see Myrick. I was also at a point in my life where I was finally open to something I hadn’t originally pictured for myself. The truth? I had secretly spent about a year missing Myrick like crazy. The moment I saw him in the hotel lobby before the rehearsal, I knew instantly — that was it. Somehow, some way, we were going to find a way to make this work. Myrick’s POV: I was excited to see Macale going into Jake’s wedding. I really did not think anything would come of it until I saw her walk into the welcome party in that beautiful blue dress, then that was it. The second I saw her I knew we were back on. We spent a lot of time together the rest of the weekend. Her company felt natural and familiar. When I have asked the older and wiser the age-old question, “How do you know if she’s the one?” Their response is always “You’ll just know.” I questioned that for a long time until April of last year. I was certain that I would marry Macale and I felt very at peace about it. There was no other way forward for me, and I could feel that it was the same for her.

After the Cameron wedding, we didn’t miss a single day without talking on the phone or FaceTiming. Soon after, we officially began dating, and everything just felt right. It was easy, it was full of laughter, and it was with our very best friend. We spent time in Corpus Christi, TX (where Myrick was stationed at the time), at home in Greenville, and in lots of places in between. We had waited a long time, but finally, it was our time.

Throughout our relationship, we often dreamed about the future, and it was clear to both of us that marriage was always the plan. Macale was more than ready to get engaged (maybe a little antsy about it too 😉). On July 3, 2025, Myrick pulled off the surprise of a lifetime and proposed on his boat (the same boat we spent the summer of 2022 on). It was absolutely perfect — he had planned a whole party, one surprise after another, to celebrate with family and friends. It was everything Macale had dreamed of and more. Now, here we are, 28 years old, 10 years later, completely over the moon and so excited to spend forever together!