On October 26, 2016, I arrived late to youth group after working one of my first shifts at my very first job. The sermon had already started, and all the seats next to my friends were taken. I spotted an open chair at the end of a row and took it—little did I know, that decision would change my life. Sitting next to me was the cutest boy I had ever seen. He noticed my McDonald’s name tag and, in an effort to make conversation, asked, “Do you work at McDonald’s?” (Looking back, it’s adorable how he was trying to start a conversation). We exchanged names, and from that moment on, I started noticing him everywhere. We rode the same bus, had the same math class, and even lived just two minutes from each other. The following week, our youth group hosted a Harvest Festival to celebrate the beginning of fall. That night, we rode the hayride together, carved pumpkins, and took our first picture together. When I got in the car afterward, my mom asked how the night went. Without hesitation, I told her, "I really, really like this boy." For years after that, I chased him. I must have done a great job at scaring him off at first, but eventually, it worked! We were always around each other throughout high school—sharing the same friend group, going to a school dance, hanging out all summer, and having lunch together every day. I would use any excuse possible just to be around him. After high school, we lost touch for a little while, but even then, everyone who knew me knew he was my first love. I talked about him constantly during our time of no contact, always hoping our paths would cross again. The truth is, since the day I met him, my love for him has only grown stronger. Fast forward to late August 2023—I was at home when my then roommate was scrolling through a dating app. She called me into her room and told me that Gavin was on there. Even though I had no intention of dating at the time, I immediately downloaded the app and spent 45 minutes scrolling until I found him. I liked his profile, and the next day, while I was out shopping, I got a notification. It was Gavin! His message was super thought through and intricate, he said, "Heyyy you." (We still laugh about how terrible of a pickup line it was—but hey, it worked!). On December 23, 2024, Gavin proposed at Freezeout Hill in Emmett—the place where we had our second date and a spot that holds so many special memories for us. Since reconnecting, we’ve traveled to three countries and five states together, with so many more adventures ahead. Our love story is anything but ordinary, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. As I sit here writing this, I realize that our relationship is so much more than just romance—Gavin is my best friend, my biggest blessing, and the love of my life. From high school besties to soon-to-be husband and wife, I can’t wait to share his last name and a lifetime of love and laughter. I love you, Gavin!
Looking back over my life, it’s full of surprises. I never thought that the girl I once sat next to in Youth Group would be the same girl I’d ride the bus with and eventually become best friends. An even greater surprise is that I would one day marry this woman. As I reminisce back over our story, I’m often perplexed by the timing that love falls into our lives. After our friendship through high school and my “playing hard to get,” we eventually went separate paths, as most high school friends do. Three years later, after no contact, I ran across a beautiful, familiar face on a dating app and mustered up all the romantic first-liners I could manage and wrote, “Heyyy you.” She still gives me a hard time for this, but hey, it worked. Our first date after all those years was something else—besides the part where we made homemade pizza, and I forgot the cheese. We spent the night dancing, laughing, and sharing old memories and new. A song played, and I’ve never understood it more: “Timing is Everything.” Time had granted me a love that would follow me to three countries, support me across the country as I follow my dreams, and build a home where I never have to doubt love. Being with Kayla has been the greatest gift I’ve ever received. I can’t wait to continue our story of love, friendship, and memories. There is truly no one else I’d want by my side. I loved you last, —Gav