Aaron & Deonte

Our Story

From a “like” here and a “comment” there to forever.

The Milestones

How We Got Here

2015Birmingham, AL

Two Names in the Feed

Aaron, a Birmingham native, and Deonte, newly arrived for a job at Jefferson State, kept turning up on each other’s social media.

2019Decatur, GA

A Chance Run-In

Deonte, regrouping after a layoff, ran into Aaron at Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Cocktails.

Nov 29, 2019First Date

He Shot His Shot

After weeks of messages and one fateful steakhouse sighting, they went on their first official date.

Jan 11, 2020Making It Official

“Be My Boyfriend?”

Aaron thought they were already official. Deonte wanted to mark the moment anyway.

June 9, 2025Aruba

The Proposal

Down on one knee at Passions on the Beach, with music playing and the waves behind them.

May 7, 2027Nashville, TN

Forever Begins

And we want you there.

Aaron and Deonte sitting together on a steel staircase
Chapter One

Before the Beginning

Long before they were Aaron and Deonte, they were just two names that kept popping up in each other’s social media feeds. Aaron recognized Deonte from local choirs, while Deonte saw Aaron taking photos around Birmingham, where they both lived at the time. Aaron was a Birmingham native, and Deonte had moved to the city in the summer of 2015 for a recruiting job at Jefferson State. They never knew that a casual “like” here and “comment” there would turn into a forever connection.

Chapter Two

Life Had Other Plans

In 2019, Deonte moved to Nashville for a new job, only to be laid off a few months later. Looking for a chance to regroup, he went to Atlanta to visit friends, and there, by pure chance, he ran into Aaron at Ms. Icey’s Kitchen and Cocktails in Decatur. Aaron was working for Waitr and building his freelance photography business, AaronFrankPhoto, and that night he was photographing a DJ and catching up with friends. Deonte told him about the layoff, and later Aaron sent him a heartfelt prayer over Facebook Messenger. It was a small gesture, but it meant more to Deonte than Aaron could have known.

A month later, fate stepped in again. Deonte was back in Birmingham for a birthday dinner when he spotted Aaron and his sister at Saltgrass Steakhouse on Highway 280. He leaned over to his friends and said, “That’s my husband.” Aaron, meanwhile, barely seemed to notice him and even called him “Donte,” which rubbed Deonte the wrong way. Only later did Deonte learn that Aaron had done it on purpose. Neither of them could stop thinking about the other.

Aaron and Deonte on the Nashville riverfront

“That’s my husband.”

— Deonte, at first sight

Deonte resting his head on Aaron's shoulder
Chapter Three

Making It Official

The messages grew more frequent, and the conversations grew deeper. In mid-November, Deonte finally shot his shot, and on November 29, 2019, they went on their first official date. Even with two and a half hours between them, they made the time to talk, to visit, and to truly get to know each other.

On January 11, 2020, Deonte asked Aaron to be his boyfriend. Aaron thought they were already official, but Deonte wanted to mark the moment, and that says everything about who he is. From there, they learned how to love each other well. They shared family stories, their education and careers, past relationships, and their dreams for the future. They grew close quickly and committed to building a life together.

Two hands with engagement rings holding glasses of bourbon
Chapter Four

The Question

They both knew they wanted forever. On June 9, 2025, during their annual couples trip to Aruba, Deonte got down on one knee at Passions on the Beach. With music playing and the waves softly crashing behind them, Aaron said yes, and the planning of their life together began in earnest.

Centered in faith and fueled by creativity, Aaron and Deonte share a love that feels unbreakable. They enter marriage ready to support each other, to keep growing together, and to celebrate the life they’ve chosen, side by side.
Celebrate With Us