When I (MaKayla) came down to Hobe Sound Bible College, Darren McDonald was not someone who I thought would be interested in me. Of course, I knew him before I came down. To me, it seemed that everyone knew him. He has sung with PR groups for colleges and my first impression of him was actually that he seemed full of himself lol.

When I came down to Florida for college, Darren was not someone I had considered. Now, I did not go to college to get married, but I figured it would be kinda nice so yes, I was looking. After a couple weeks, I began to notice him.... haha just kidding it was probably a little sooner than a couple weeks.

I know it is crazy to believe, but I am quiet and not the most outgoing person. So with the help of Jada Lavy and Kaitlynn Burley, my story with Darren McDonald began in the Fall semester at Hobe Sound Bible College in 2022.

According to him, he fell in love at first sight and it was me who took forever. I beg to differ.

October 9th, 2022 he FINALLY asked for my number...Sunday night...in the church lobby...right before we were to sing upfront with the choir. He does not always have the best timing. As you can guess, singing upfront is difficult when you cannot stop smiling.

November 28, 2022 was the very first time we talked on the phone. For 2 people who hate phone calls, we talked for 3 hours.

December 2, 2022. Our first picture with just the two of us. Oh my, that had to have been painful to watch! After the first night of Singing Tree, I joined my family at the back. They were taking pictures and Darren came over. Julissa suggested we take a picture together....I wanted to crawl under the seats. Yes I wanted a picture...but no I didn't want a picture! And then with some prompting, we stood beside each other and got a picture.

Fast forward all the way to December 15, 2022. We happened to be in PA for my cousin's wedding and Darren happened to not be far away. Soooo after days and days of trying to get the nerve and talking about squirrels and dogs (just ask Mom and Julissa), I asked Darren if he would like to go with us to Sight and Sound Theaters. He did :)

Spring semester came and he brought me flowers and coffee. We spent time together and went out with friends. I worked on homework and he got distracted.. haha no he did get some stuff done.

If you know Darren, he is not one to be right on time...but on February 2, 2023 I was the one to be late. In my defense, I set my alarm for pm instead of am...Anyways, he had asked me to meet him early that morning to see the sunrise. So for the first time, he was early and I was very late. As in, he called me (and woke me up) at the time I was supposed to be there and asked if I was on my way. Ugh, of all the times I did not have time to do my hair or wear something cute! I rushed over and we watched the sunrise together, or what was left. Then, on our way back, he “happened” to look in the bushes and see something. At first I thought it was for someone else, but there was no one else there lol. And then I realized. Honestly, I don't remember what he said haha. I know he asked me to read the card and said something after that...but that morning I became Darren McDonald's girlfriend...FINALLY!!! I was so happy even if I was totally late.

2023 was filled with many memories. We went on adventures and spent time learning more about each other.

2024. Something about me is that I absolutely love surprises. But, I usually tend to find out about the surprise. I try not to! But I connected the details and I sometimes guess what it is. Darren knows this and tries his best to surprise me (he's gotten better and I've gotten better at not thinking too much about it).

Darren here; in my defense, I always thought I was pretty good at creating surprises... apparently not. :D

On February 13, 2024, I knew what was happening that evening. He had planned for a while that he and I were going to go out that evening on a date. He planned for us to walk and then go out to eat. Now, Darren does not voluntarily walk for pleasure. If we are ever walking together, it is because I asked him to go with me and he graciously went along. I was nervous, excited, and terrified. While I was getting ready, I wondered how it would feel to be engaged? And how would I react? I am not an expressive person, he cries more than me haha.

We got to the park and walked...I was so nervous. We walked around the long way...hmmm...and then started uphill. Immediately, I noticed it all. The bench was decorated, there were fairy lights hung from the top, rose petals were scattered on the ground, two books (a Bible and notebook) were placed in the center with red roses, and a sign reading "Will you marry me?" was on the side. I read that and my heart jumped…or stopped…maybe skipped a beat?

It is not really a moment you can explain. You hear all about it, but until it happens to you…..I knew he was going to ask, but I was still shocked. I kept thinking, "Darren McDonald wants to marry me! He wants to spend the rest of his life with me!" He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him...FINALLY! :)

Darren again. By far the happiest moment of my life is the moment I looked into MaKayla's Hazel eyes and she answered "the question" with YES!! She made me so very happy that day, and though we've had our ups and downs, every day has been a good day for me because I know that MaKayla is there beside me. She is my greatest cheerleader!

Well, just like every couple's story, we have had our good times and bad times. Darren and I have grown closer since then. But more than that, we have grown closer to God. I love planning, but things do not always go the way we plan. Our wedding date was initially different, but God had other things in store for us. He knew we would need this time to rely more on Him and grow closer together.

So today, I am happy to say that even though we've finished the first chapter of our story, on January 2nd 2025, Darren and I will begin writing the rest of the book together, as husband and wife.