Our Story

Chapter 1: High School Sweethearts

2009-2013

Our story begins on September 4, 2009— the first Friday night lights football game at Aliso Niguel High School. Mikayla, a shy junior varsity cheerleader, was nervously trying to make new friends within her freshman class, while Nathan, the bleach-blond junior varsity football player fresh off a summer of surfing, was effortlessly stealing the show. He had everyone’s attention—cracking jokes, exuding charm, and catching all of the ladies’ eyes. Surprisingly, Mikayla had no hesitation introducing herself. Standing trackside, they shared a casual conversation, one that both still describe to this day “as easy as breathing.” They walked away that night smitten.

Leave it to Mikayla to make the bold first move after the game, sliding into his Facebook Messenger with, “Hey, you’re on the JV football team, right??” real smooth….

Their high school romance started like a classic teen movie—bonfires, friends, and sharing their first “kiss” on the Aliso Creek beach at a bonfire. Two weeks later, they were officially dating, but it only lasted for another two weeks (they don’t count that part; it was more of a warm-up, really).

Nathan, however, wasn’t giving up easily. For the next two years, he made it his mission to win Mikayla over, enlisting their friends to campaign on his behalf. Mikayla, meanwhile, mostly saw him as a friend—a very persistent one.

Finally, on October 16, 2011, Nathan made his big move and “offically” asked Mikayla to be his girlfriend. From that day on, they were the quintessential high school couple: the varsity lacrosse captain and the star football player dating the varsity cheer captain.

Winter Formal - 2014
Homecoming 2011
Senior Portraits
First photo together
Senior Prom
Summer 2013

Chapter 2: duel in the desert

2013-2017

When college rolled around, Nathan and Mikayla’s story took them to Arizona. Nathan, was recruited to Grand Canyon University to play lacrosse, and Mikayla was admitted into the University of Arizona. Somehow, fate worked in their favor—they’d both be in the same state, just a short two-hour Greyhound bus ride away (a route Nathan came to know very well).

They saw each other maybe once or twice a month, squeezing in as much time together as they could between classes. Sometimes that meant cramming onto a twin-sized bed for a weekend in Mikayla’s freshman dorm, and sometimes it meant sneaking Mikayla in to Nathans very strict (& smelly) dorm past curfew.

Other times, it looked like Nathan showing up to Mikayla’s sorority date dashes fresh off the Greyhound, duffel bag in one hand, a tequila shot in the other.

Between visiting each other’s schools for lacrosse/football games, making friends with each other’s crews, and counting down the days until their next visit, they made the most of their long-distance chapter. Sure, the distance came with its challenges, but they pushed through, proving that distance truly made the heart fonder.

Chapter 2: Home sweet home

2017-today

After graduating college, Mikayla and Nathan made the move back home—only to quickly upgrade to their first apartment together. The next chapter was a whirlwind of building a business together, navigating fire academies, and putting in the hard work to land their dream careers. Through it all, they endured so many ups and downs. They expanded their little family, adding Charlie, their (now senior citizen) pup, and Greyson, their cat (who honestly acts more like a dog than a cat, but they love him all the same).

Through it all, Mikayla and Nathan made one promise to each other from the very beginning: take it one step at a time. They agreed not to rush anything and would only commit to forever once they had the chance to settle into their careers and fall in love with life together.

And now, after 13 (!!) years of growing together, they’re ready to take that next step—together, forever.