From neighbors, to best friends, and now forever. Many people suspected way before Aiden and Macayla that this day would be coming. It all started 7 years ago when Aiden moved in next door to Macayla at FSU and became roommates with one of her good friends. After many neighborly dinner parties and hours spent hanging out at each other’s apartments, Aiden and Macayla slowly started opening up to each other and becoming good friends themselves. Good friends turned into something deeper when God put it on Macayla’s heart to ask Aiden to church one day. Thinking it would be a “Thanks but no thanks,” to her surprise, he jumped on the idea right away. Little did she know that God put it on his heart too to join her that Sunday. From that day on, they spent many early mornings together diving into the Word before classes at their favorite local coffee shop, Paper Fox. Aiden supported Macayla her entire senior soccer season, never missing a home game. He was always sitting in the stands, right next to her parents chatting away. Some will say Macayla’s parents loved Aiden before she did. It makes sense once knowing the very first meal he made for Macayla and her parents, which was before they started dating, happened to be her dad’s favorite without Aiden knowing: braised short ribs and risotto with crème brûlée for dessert. Aiden continued to drop hints that all went straight over Macayla’s head. The biggest hint of all was when he told her that he wanted to get a puppy and asked what breed he should get. A white golden retriever named Louie it was. That is one way to get a girl’s attention. And yes, it worked. It’s safe to say, “Are you two dating yet?” became a question each of them was asked regularly. Aiden’s goal of breaking through the friend zone was totally changed after Macayla tore her ACL mid-season, ending her career and plans to play professionally overseas. Some more time passed and Macayla leaned on Aiden and their mornings together more than ever. One special morning, after a year of close friendship, Luke 11:8 changed both of their lives forever. With “shameless audacity,” Aiden asked Macayla on their very first official date. Macayla didn’t make it easy for Aiden, but the “maybe” that eventually became a “yes” from her later that afternoon was the first best decision she has ever made. One real date, without reservations, was all it took for them to finally realize they were sitting in front of the person they were meant to spend the rest of their lives with.