Aaron Maupin and Kyla Clark became quick friends while in college. They began dating right before she moved to Indianapolis for a yearlong internship. Through the distance, the two formed a strong emotional bond that cemented their love.
As Aaron begin to plan a proposal for Kyla, friends flooded his email with the ESSENCE Storybook Wedding contest call-out. He wrote in and was selected as one of six finalists from more than 200 letters.
In the luxe and intimate Queen Victoria’s room at Disney World’s Victoria & Albert’s restaurant, which counts Steve Harvey and wife Marjorie as regulars, Aaron and Kyla sampled desserts.
As the final course arrived, Aaron had a harpist play “A Whole New World” – one of Kyla’s favorite tunes.
Kyla was shocked to discover an engagement ring inside instead of a sweet treat. “I always thought that I would know when ‘it’ was about to happen by his behavior, but boy was I wrong! she shares. “He was so cool and calm the entire time.”
The magical moment brought tears to both of their eyes, as Aaron shared he didn’t want to go another day without Kyla by his side. “Early on I saw qualities in Kyla I would want for life,” Aaron says. “Marriage is part of my faith and the pinnacle of a relationship.”
The couple that prays together has stayed together. “Aaron’s faith has guided our relationship and there is nothing more beautiful than a man of God,” Kyla says. “He’s told me on many occasions that he prayed that God would send him the right woman and then there I was.”
One of Aaron’s favorite memories was packing up Kyla’s stuff in Indianoplos and riding back to Atlanta together. “She’ll say we drove 50/50. It was more like 90/10,” he says. “ I enjoyed our time laughing and talking.”
Why they want your vote: “As my queen, she deserves this fairytale to come true. We look forward to beginning a lifetime of love and laughter with each other,” Aaron says.
See more of Aaron and Kyla’s story and their Disney World engagement in the June issue of ESSENCE.
