X + A

To our dearest family, friends, and cherished loved ones, Welcome! Your love and support have been a cornerstone in our individual journeys, and now, as we take the step to become one, your presence means even more to us. This space is a reflection of our union—a celebration of love, laughter, and the incredible people who’ve walked with us along the way. Here, you’ll find all the details about our big day, from the schedule to travel tips, and a few personal touches we’re excited to share. But more than that, we hope this site brings you a little closer to the joy and anticipation we feel as we prepare to say “I do.” We can’t wait to celebrate this special moment with all of you. Thank you for walking beside us on this journey and for the love you’ve poured into our lives. Your blessings mean the world to us, and we’re honored to have you as part of this next chapter. With love and gratitude, The Future Mr. & Mrs. Hicks

Our story began on Atia’s first day at Cousins Middle School in Covington, Georgia—a day that marked the start of a new chapter for both of us, though neither of us knew it yet. Atia had just moved to the area two days earlier, trusting a gut feeling and a single phone interview to guide her. That morning, the first time we saw each other, Atia noticed Xavier right away. “I couldn’t miss him,” she says, laughing. “Jeans, a red Polo, and matching Jordans. I thought, If this is what the teachers wear, I can only imagine what the students are like.” Xavier laughs when she tells this story, but he always adds, “What can I say? I was comfortable.” Still, even in that first moment, something about him caught her attention. “It wasn’t the outfit,” she admits. “It was how at ease he seemed, like he didn’t have to try to own the room.” And for Xavier? “I didn’t notice her right away,” he says with a grin. “But once I did, I couldn’t stop. She had this energy about her—strong, confident, like she knew exactly where she was going, even if she’d just gotten there.” In the weeks that followed, we started noticing each other more. Meetings turned into shared jokes, passing smiles turned into easy conversations. We weren’t on the same teams, but it felt like we were always in the same space. “I didn’t plan it,” Xavier says, “but I wasn’t complaining.” Atia laughs. “Neither was I.” But it was Atia who made the first move. “I could tell he wasn’t going to,” she says, “so I decided to help him along.” One morning, she stopped him in the hallway and said, “Before you leave today, remind me—I have something for you.” Xavier nods, grinning. “She caught me off guard, but I was curious. I didn’t know what she had in mind.” Later that day, as the school emptied out, he found her by the bus lot. “You said you had something for me?” he asked. “Yep! My number” Atia says, smiling. She pulled out her phone, “Where’s your phone?” “I was impressed,” Xavier admits. “She didn’t even hesitate. I handed my phone over, and she saved her number. Then I called her, right then and there. That was it—we were locked in.” That night, he called again. A week later, we went on our first date—dinner and a movie. “It was simple, but it felt different,” Atia says. “I just knew.” Xavier agrees. “Yeah, I knew too. From that point on, we were inseparable.” We balanced each other in ways we didn’t expect. “His calm and laid-back temperament cools my fiery demeanor, he keeps me grounded,” Atia says. “And her drive, her fearlessness inspires me dream bigger. She adds light to my life.” Xavier adds. Together, we built something steady, something real. Now, as we stand on the edge of forever, we can’t help but feel grateful for how it all began. From hallway conversations to building a life together, we know this is only the start of our greatest adventure. - Xavier + Atia

I knew Atia was the one for me the moment I realized how effortlessly she fit into my life. I’ve always been naturally reserved, someone who enjoys solitude and doesn’t easily let others in. But with her, it was different from the start. Her presence didn’t feel like an intrusion; it felt like an extension of myself. She didn’t try to change me or make me someone I’m not. Instead, she quietly and patiently allowed me to be me, showing me that I didn’t have to face the world alone. Being with her felt like being home, and for someone like me, who thrived in his own company, that was revolutionary. What truly solidified my belief in her was the way she loved me through my lowest moments. Life hasn’t always been kind to me, and there were times when I felt like I had little to offer anyone. I’ve seen myself broken, vulnerable, and unsure, yet her feelings for me never wavered. She didn’t flinch when things got messy; instead, she stood by my side, offering her quiet strength and unwavering support. Her ability to see the man I was beyond my struggles gave me the courage to grow and heal. And when I found myself standing tall again, her love was just as steadfast—unchanged by my success or my pain. At my best, she’s my biggest cheerleader, celebrating my victories as though they’re her own. She knows the person I’m striving to become and helps me believe in him even on the days I falter. What makes her so remarkable is that her love isn’t tied to circumstances—it’s tied to who I am at my core. She has loved me through every shade of myself, never asking me to be more than I am, yet inspiring me to be the best I can be. That kind of unconditional love is rare, and it’s something I’ll never take for granted. For someone who’s always preferred his own company, it’s ironic that she’s the one person I never want to be without. I used to find solace in being alone, but now, my peace lies in being with her. She understands my silences and shares in my quiet joys. With her, there’s no need for pretenses or walls; I can just be. She doesn’t just make me better; she makes my world better, and every day I’m with her, I’m reminded why she’s the one I want to share this life with. - Xavier

With Xavier, I never had to be anyone other than myself. I didn’t have to hide where I came from, question where I was going, or worry if I even had the tools to get there. I always dreamed of a love that was forgiving—a love where he would see the parts of me I’m not proud of, forgive me for them, and love me anyway. But when I met Xavier, I realized he didn’t give me a love I had to be forgiven into—he gave me a love that was accepting. He embraced all of me. The flaws of my past, the works in progress, my fiery spirit, my bigger-than-life personality, and my even bigger emotions. As someone who prides herself on being a dynamic woman, having someone who embraced every part of me—not just the easy parts—felt like the kind of love I’d always hoped for. Xavier is a man of quiet strength and unwavering action. He’s always been exactly who he said he was and has become everything he promised to be. He’s not just a man of his word—he’s a man of action. His love is steady, kind, and without condition, and it’s the kind of love I wish every woman could experience. He is a representation of what I wish every man would be: accepting, honest, and loyal. The way he makes me feel—completely seen, completely loved, and completely secure—is something I wish for every woman. I’m not sure exactly how I knew. I just felt it. It wasn’t a light bulb moment for me… it was a lingering, a push, a charge that has always been there. “Xavier, it was always going to be you, it was always going to be YES!” - Atia