WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!

Travis had just returned home from a long day at the gun range and a business meeting. Exhausted, he went upstairs, ready to call it a night. But as soon as his head hit the pillow, his phone buzzed with a WhatsApp video call. The caller’s ID showed it was Uncle Paul, a longtime family friend of over a decade. Groggy, Travis answered. On the screen, Uncle Paul grinned with his niece, Donell, and sister, Angela, standing beside him. Donell waved and said, “Hi! Friend.” Her voice carried a blend of warmth and confidence that caught him off guard. Then, Travis, who was upstairs trying to sleep, told Uncle Paul to give him a second, and Travis came downstairs. As Travis entered the kitchen, he saw a group that included Uncle Paul, Donell, Donell’s mom (Angela), and Uncle Paul’s son, Comaro— Donell’s first cousin who had been staying with Travis for a few weeks. Travis smiled politely and greeted Angela, whom she knew was a longtime family friend. Donell, intrigued by not knowing a longtime family friend and noticing the lack of acknowledgment, turned to Travis, stretched out her hand, and said, “Hi! I’m Donell.” Travis replied with a grin, finally meeting her gaze and introduced himself. The entire group decided to head out for dinner at a popular pizzeria on Atlanta’s Beltline. Feeling like the seating was orchestrated, Travis found himself sitting beside Donell, as it was the only seat left at their table. Their conversation flowed effortlessly. They talked about everything—work, hobbies, family stories—and discovered how much they had in common. Donell’s humor and candor matched Travis’s laid-back demeanor perfectly. The rest of the family noticed the chemistry between them, exchanging knowing glances while pretending not to eavesdrop. As the evening wine down, Travis and Donell still hadn’t exchanged numbers, but neither seemed concerned. A connection had been made; somehow, they both knew this was just the beginning. A few days later, Comaro needed to contact Travis but had trouble with his phone. Donell stepped in, using her phone to make the call. When Travis picked up, he recognized her voice instantly. They exchanged a few words before Travis mentioned he was out of town for work, so Donell started taking Comaro to Travis’s house when he needed something. During that time, the girls (Cadence & Kaylin) infiltrated Travis’s home and named him “The Real Life Big Foot” after playing in Travis’s size 18 shoes. From that point on, Travis and Donell found reasons to keep in touch here and there. However, Travis and Donell started to talk regularly when Maurice, Donell’s first cousin and Travis’s dear friend, passed away. During that difficult time, a true friendship sparked, and their love blossomed. What started as a simple conversation over pizza became the foundation for something deeper. Looking back, Travis often laughed about how he’d almost slept through the moment that would change his life. And Donell, she’d always say her bold “Hi, I’m Donell!” started it all.