Our story officially began with an Instagram DM on Valentine’s Day, and it honestly felt like something straight out of a rom-com. The second I saw his message, I melted and literally screamed, “Chili’s guy just texted me!” It was exciting, unexpected, and somehow felt completely right. Almost 10 years before that, my mom started taking pictures for Caleb’s family. After every time she saw him and his family, she would tell me, “Mikayla, he is really cute,” but I never thought I would have a chance to actually talk to him. A few years later, Caleb started working at Chili’s, and the inside joke began. My Nana Pam, my mom, and I would always talk about this cute “Chili’s guy,” not realizing the guy we were joking about would be my future husband. We grew up in the same town, went to the same high school and the same church, even with a couple years between us. My parents would randomly run into him at Lowe’s or Chili’s, and there were so many little moments that only make sense now. Looking back, it truly feels like God kept placing us in each other’s paths until the timing was finally right. That perfect moment was that Valentine’s Day DM. One message turned into an easy, natural, nonstop conversation. When we finally went on our first date, we did an escape room and made it through without a single argument, which felt like a very good sign. We grabbed Pita Kabob beforehand and stayed in awe of how comfortable and fun it all was. Choosing each other has been the happiest and easiest decision. Our families have blended so well too. Even though everyone is in different stages of life, both sides are so similar in the way they love, support, and laugh together. It just feels right. We love traveling, going to church, staying in, going on little adventures, and just doing life together as best friends. We can’t wait to celebrate our love with you all so soon!

I literally had no idea it was coming. I was just going to lunch with friends and got distracted talking for hours, completely clueless! Caleb had secretly orchestrated everything with the help of his mom and my mom, a foolproof proposal with our immediate families and closest friends all there to celebrate with us afterward. I didn’t even say yes, I said, “of course!” I was uncontrollably sobbing because I had no idea what was happening and I was beyond excited. I honestly thought my mom and I were just there to take pictures for his sister’s maternity session. It was perfect, unexpected, and so us.