In school, we were far from star-crossed lovers. In fact, we hardly liked each other at all. But God had His own plans, and one evening, everything changed.
Mikayla's friend had invited me out, and by some twist of chance, she saw something in me that night—something she never knew existed. A gentler side, a protective warmth that had been hidden beneath the surface. It happened again and again, each meeting peeling back another layer until, one night, Mikayla made the first move. As her hand rested on my leg, something shifted between us. That touch was the beginning of everything.
From there, we embarked on a journey neither of us could have predicted. University life was a whirlwind of late-night parties and early-morning study sessions, of laughter and stress, of finding our rhythm in the chaos. Then came the real test when the world shut down during COVID, and so did our ability to see each other. Mikayla was stuck in Langebaan, and I was miles away, longing for the presence that had become my safe haven. But distance did not weaken us. If anything, it strengthened us, reminding us that love, when rooted in faith, can endure even the longest of separations.
When the world reopened, so did new chapters in our story. Mikayla started working in Cape Town, and I was in Somerset West. It wasn't quite a long-distance relationship, but the ache of only seeing each other on weekends made every moment together feel precious. After a year of stolen weekends and longing goodbyes, we finally took the leap and moved in together, into our little flat in Durbanville.
Then, our little family grew. We welcomed our first fur baby, Irie—our gentle, soft-hearted girl who quickly became the queen of the house (and the ruler of all Takealot boxes). Becoming first-time pawrents added a new dimension to our relationship, teaching us responsibility, teamwork, and just how much love could fit into one little creature.
Living together was an awakening. Suddenly, we weren't just partners in love; we were partners in life. We learned each other's quirks, our habits, and our rhythms. We discovered how to exist side by side, every hour of every day. It was a period of immense growth, of navigating challenges, and of falling even deeper in love. Through it all, we knew that God was shaping us, teaching us patience, grace, and selflessness.
Then our hearts expanded once again with the arrival of Lilly—our mischievous, cuddle-loving "tik kop" who quickly became Werner's little shadow. And just like that, our family of two had grown into four, filling our home with even more love, laughter, and a whole lot of fur.
Life continued to change, and so did we. Mikayla, weary of long commutes, decided it was time for something new. And so, we found ourselves in Claremont, adjusting to the pace of city life and embracing yet another adventure. It was a big change, but like every challenge before, we faced it together—trusting that every step was leading us exactly where we were meant to be.
Through every high and low, every celebration and setback, we have built something unshakable. Our love has been tested, strengthened, and shaped by time. And yet, we know this is only the beginning of our story—a story written by the One who brought us together in His perfect timing.
