Like all great love stories, ours has two versions: Macayla’s version (sweet, heartfelt, and slightly embellished) and Devyn’s version (witty, detailed, and brutally honest). Somewhere in between lies the truth. We’ll let you decide which perspective you believe… just remember, only one of us is always right. 😉

Our Love Story: Macayla's Perspective

Like all modern romances, ours started with a swipe.

Neither of us were sure what we were looking for on the app, but when we matched, something just clicked. Our conversation flowed effortlessly. Our first date from my point of view went absolutely great. We met at Barrio for tacos and queso and on a whim decided we wanted ice cream. Luckily she trusted me enough that I wouldn’t murder her and decided to hop in the car with me.

Later in our relationship I found out that she actually DID NOT think our first date went well, due to her asking all the questions and me just answering. So when I asked for a second date the very next day, she was surprised but excited.

One of the things I love about Devyn most is we always have something to talk about and she is one of the best people to hold an intelligent conversation with. She challenges me daily to become a better person and to make me think in ways I never had before.

With Devyn, love isn’t complicated. It is simple, easy, and full of joy. We laugh until our sides hurt over the smallest things. But beyond the fun, she makes me feel safe, accepted, and completely myself. I never have to be anything but me, and that’s the greatest gift she has ever given.

Our Love Story: Devyn's Perspective

Our love story began on Hinge, “the dating app designed to be deleted” (a claim we fully endorse). Macayla “hearted” one of my photos and messaged me right away—see the cringy proof above.

We quickly planned a date. My bridesmaid Emma insisted I share my location, just in case (safety first!). We met at Barrio in Lakewood. Later, Macayla admitted her usual first-date spot was Applebee’s. I told her that if she had suggested Applebee’s as the spot for our first date, there likely would not have been a first date.

The date itself was…okay. I thought she wasn’t interested and talked a lot about herself. Turns out, I was interviewing her like a journalist and didn’t give her the opportunity to ask me anything about myself. We ended the night with ice cream at Mitchell’s in Ohio City, which earned her brownie (sundae) points.

Lo and behold, Macayla texted me on my way home to say she had a great time. The next morning, she FaceTimed me to ask if I had lunch plans. Less than 24 hours since our last date, she picked me up at work to have lunch at Citizen Pie. From then on, we couldn’t get enough of each other.

Things moved quickly after that—Macayla met my parents on Easter just weeks later. I quickly saw she could really get along with anyone, making everyone around her feel at ease.

I also quickly learned she does things on her own terms. When bringing up the prospect of making things official, I was met with an “I’ll let you know when I’m ready.” The next day, she asked me to be her girlfriend. When I offered her a spare key months later, she thought it was “too soon,” only to ask for it days later with, “Well, it just makes things easier!”

Despite what felt like a mediocre first date, falling in love with Macayla was one of the easiest things I’ve ever done. She was a paramedic determined to move up the ranks, endlessly curious about healthcare. She made me laugh so often I’d get headaches. She showed her thoughtfulness with flowers when I had a tough day and showed her love for my family as much as for me. And she never made me doubt her love for me.

I'm forever grateful that I took a chance on that second date, and didn't let my first impression inform my entire opinion of Macayla. Because now, I count my lucky stars every day that I've found someone who is my best friend first and partner second. To know Macayla is to love her, and boy do I love her so.

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