I do

If you’re the bride’s parents or grandparents… this might be your cue to look away now. (I’m incriminating myself) It was New Year’s Eve, and 15-year-old me was having a sleepover with friends — the kind of night full of snacks, movies, and laughter, with absolutely no hint that I was about to meet the love of my life. But fate, as it often does, had other plans. Word got around that someone nearby was having people over. Naturally, the “logical” next step was to borrow my sister’s car — thanks again, girl— and drive a block over to see what it was about. When we arrived, a mutual friend pulled me aside and said, “Come outside, my friend is about to stop by.” Without asking who or why, I slipped on my brand-new leopard sequence changing Uggs (a Christmas gift I wish I still had today) and headed out the door, completely unaware that I was walking straight into something life changing. Waiting outside was a black SUV, engine running, headlights glowing. With no sense of stranger danger-I walked right up, opened the passenger door, and climbed in. And there he was. Adrian. Sixteen years old, effortlessly cool, and completely unfamiliar — and yet, in that very first moment, something clicked. Our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat, and with my big dimple filled smile I said, “Hi, I’m Michaela!” He replied — probably — “Sup, I’m Adrian.” (The details there are fuzzy, because in truth, I felt starstruck.) Trying to keep the moment alive, I said, “You should smile!” He replied, “I can’t. I have a gap.” I smiled and said, “I do too. It’s okay!” And just like that, something small and sweet passed between us. I was completely captivated. Of course, the moment didn’t last long — my friend opened the door and said, “Get in the back.” So I did. Happily. And from the back seat, I spent the rest of the evening in awe, wondering who he was, where he came from and if I’d see him again. At first, I didn’t. Winter break ended. We went to different schools. And I assumed it had been a fleeting little moment — a sweet memory to hold onto. Until I heard he’d been trying to get my number. Suddenly, the butterflies were back. I told my friend to give it to him (slowly, of course — I had to maintain some mystery). …And to his credit, Adrian waited. A whole year. Until I was ready to take him seriously. And when I did? That spark never left. It grew into friendship, into love, into years of laughter, growing up (just a little), and building a life together. From a spark on New Year’s Eve as teenagers - it all led us here. To the altar. To forever.