Our story began at Covenant Christian High School. Macina was from Mooresville, and Caleb was from Brownsburg. Two kids would have never met if it wasn’t for the blessing of this school. During our freshman year, we had a class together! This is where Macina learned Caleb had no interest…at all… in girl relationships (Caleb still found her beautiful, though, don’t worry). A group formed out of Macina's friends from Mooresville, which is what led to them spending more time together. Our friend group was always energetic, full of fun conversations, and ready to debate the next hottest topic. Our sophomore year was coming to an end, which is where we did a community project together for a school-led event, Gone Servin’. We served at a homeless shelter in downtown Indiana which is where their interest in one another took off. Caleb was awestruck at heart Macina constantly showed to those around her. She never treated someone differently, it was the same Macina to every person around. Seeing her serve the Lord that day in how she loved others caught his attention. For Macina, she was drawn to his wisdom, intentionality, and deep thinking. At this time (Gone Servin’), they weren’t with their normal friend group but decided to eat lunch together. Caleb went and sat by Macina and offered her 1 of the 8 oranges he had packed in his lunch, as well as an Oreo. After the event, Caleb went to Dairy Queen and asked Macina if she wanted anything. She wanted a blizzard, so she got her blizzard. Caleb gave it to her after a long day, and they sat on the school's curb and just talked. That same day, Caleb had a track meet, and Macina had a tennis match. Yet, she managed to go to the track meet to “watch her friend.” She showed up in her tennis uniform while it was chilly and windy. Caleb gave her a windbreaker (which she still has), so she wouldn’t be cold and was persistent that she hold onto it for the day (it was more than a day).

It was Valentine's Day weekend, and we had planned a nice date to enjoy a night out together. However, we also set aside time to go ring shopping. Macina found the ring she loved, and it came down to Caleb not screwing it up. On March 8th, Caleb returned home and explained what he was looking for to a jeweler. He brought his brother and had his help so Macina would not be suspicious of a large amount of cash being withdrawn from Caleb’s bank account (because Macina loved any clues to a proposal happening soon). That day, the process of the ring being built and the proposal happening began. Until school was done, Caleb was careful in making payments on the ring so Macina wouldn’t expect it. Towards the end of the school term, Caleb reached out to a local photographer (@capturedbyallisonphoto) and made payments to hire her for the special day. His plan was to get engaged on July 9th because it was the same day that Caleb and Macina said, “I love you.” With choosing a day, our families needed to be able to celebrate, so we moved it to July 1st due to other commitments. There were so many people involved throughout this process; thank you, to each of you, for all your help! July 1st comes, and Caleb woke up to text Macina “good morning,” as he usually does, so she wouldn’t suspect him not going to work. Caleb stayed home so he could prepare everything for the engagement later that day. Little did he know, Macina tracked his location and found he was not at work but decided not to mention it ;) Caleb picked her up from work (wearing a sweatshirt and shorts) to throw her off on ideas of getting engaged. She only knew they would hang out by going on a walk in a park and then going to his house. Arriving at the park, Caleb mentioned they could go to the carnival that was taking place if they wanted something to do. Based on Macina’s facial expression, that was not interesting; she was only interested in getting engaged. They made way for a bridge at the park's center where they said I love you 3 years prior. They stopped and watched kids playing in the water and made small talk when he asked to read her a poem he had written while she was on vacation. The uncontrollable smile made it clear their lives were about to change. The photo shoot ended (and the pictures were amazing), and we went to Starbucks for water and a cake pop to celebrate. Macina’s dream was to go from house to house, showing everyone what had happened. So while we were on our way to Mooresville, we called Caleb’s family so they could hear the good news! Caleb guided Macina into her house, to the surprise of all their best friends and family being in the same room to celebrate the engagement. The evening was full of fun, food, and friends/family; it could not have been any better!

Earlier, we talked about how we began talking through a community project. We listened to music together at this event and shared our favorite songs. A song that has held a special place in our hearts is “Grow as we Go” by Ben Platt. The song provides vivid imagery of what it means to do life with someone— the ups, the downs, the twists, the turns, etc. As you listen to the song, you may think of a specific person. That person, by the grace of God, is what makes these moments beautiful. Life and marriage are beautiful because of the shared experiences with the person you love. When it came to getting the ring, Caleb thought it would be cool to incorporate this song and our mindset into the ring. On the inside of the ring is a message that says, “and they grew.” 50+ years from now (God willing), we will have grown together— despite the trials, in light of the good, and in extending the love of God to one another as well as those around us.

Now comes the wedding planning. Bonita Springs has been a special place for us both. Macina has been going there since she was little, and it’s where Caleb was able to spend his first vacation with the Johnson family. Not only that, it holds some of the best memories as a couple and with lifelong friends. In December of 2021, we went on another family vacation, where the wedding talk began. Caleb had planned on talking with Macina’s parents while they were down there…her mother had different plans. Being the loving and enthusiastic person she is, Suni approached Caleb (mind you, he was trying to get a tan), saying, “So when is this proposal happening?” From that moment forward, we put things in place to have a wedding. When it came to deciding on a venue, we were struggling. Caleb had the idea of having the ceremony in Florida. I mean, why not? It already has some of the best memories there, so why not put a wedding on top of that?!