For New England Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins, love didn’t arrive with grand gestures or whirlwind romance—it began with quiet certainty. The moment he spotted Jayda Howard during their time as student-athletes at UC Berkeley, something inside him just knew.

“I’m not trying to sound corny, but it was kind of like love at first sight,” Jaylinn admits. “I didn’t know how or when, but I felt deep down that she was going to be in my future somehow.”

What followed was a slow burn—one built on friendship, mutual respect, and an unwavering admiration that went far beyond attraction.

From Friends to Forever

When they first met, both Jaylinn and Jayda were dating other people. But as they spent more time together—bonding over their shared experiences as athletes and their drive to succeed—their connection deepened in ways neither expected.

“The more I got to know her, the more I saw how real she was,” Jaylinn recalls. “She was smart, grounded, and carried herself with this quiet confidence. It wasn’t just about beauty—I liked her, the person she was, before anything else.”

For Jayda, a standout volleyball player, Jaylinn’s sincerity stood out. “He wasn’t like other guys,” she says. “He listened. He remembered the little things. And he never played games—what you saw was what you got.”

Building a Relationship on Trust & Ambition

Their relationship blossomed naturally, rooted in a shared understanding of the sacrifices required to excel both on and off the field. As Jaylinn pursued his NFL dreams and Jayda balanced athletics with her studies, they became each other’s biggest supporters.

“There’s a different level of respect when you’re both athletes,” Jayda explains. “You understand the grind, the early mornings, the pressure. We never had to explain that to each other—we just got it.”

That mutual respect carried them through challenges, including the long distances that came with Jaylinn’s football career. “When I got drafted [to the Atlanta Falcons in 2020], we had to make it work from different cities,” Jaylinn says. “But we always trusted each other. That was never a question.”

The Proposal: A Moment Years in the Making

After years of friendship, love, and unwavering support, Jaylinn knew it was time to make things official. In a private, heartfelt moment—away from the cameras and crowds—he asked Jayda to be his wife.

“It wasn’t about some big, flashy production,” Jayda shares. “It was us—just like it’s always been. And that made it perfect.”

What Makes Their Love Story Special

In a world where celebrity relationships often play out in headlines, Jaylinn and Jayda’s love story stands out for its authenticity. There were no shortcuts, no forced timelines—just two people who grew together, step by step.

For Jaylinn, the lesson is simple: “When you know, you know. And if it’s real, you don’t have to rush it.”

As they prepare for this next chapter, one thing is clear: their bond, built on friendship first, is as unshakable as the commitment that brought them together.

And for anyone still searching for that kind of love? Jayda’s advice is just as grounded as their relationship:

“Don’t settle for anything less than someone who sees you—really sees you—and loves you for exactly who you are.”

After all, that’s exactly how their story began.