School best friends become an item after one transitions to be a man

Two best friends who first knew each other as schoolgirls have married - after one transitioned to become a man.

Aaron and Kayla Capener became best pals aged 14 long before he knew he was transgender.

He moved thousands of miles away but they kept in touch, and when they were reunited six years later, fell in love, getting married in 2021.

Aaron, now 25, credits Kayla, now 26, with supporting him during tough periods, and she now even helps administer his testosterone supplements.

They said their years of friendship as kids - when they both presented as girls - is the foundation for their happy marriage.

Media company owner Aaron said: "Me and Kayla are happily married and all the trials and tribulations I've been through to get to this point have been so worth it.

"We had a connection that was instant - but our romantic relationship was a slower progression."

Aaron and Kayla met at school when he briefly moved to Tennessee for six months aged 14, when they were both in eighth grade.

At that point, they both presented as girls, and became best friends, before he had to move back to Oregon, to live with his family.

Aaron was raised in a conservative household and, after realising he was gay at 14, slowly grew apart from his family, he said.

"When I came out gay at first, my family were extremely disappointed and they kept making excuses as to why I was saying these things.

Aaron began to feel more and more uncomfortable living at home, and at 16 he got a job at McDonald's which enabled him to save up enough money to move out.

He then transitioned to male, and started presenting as a man.

He got back in touch with Kayla, who was still living in the same place, and they instantly rekindled their friendship.

But, as they spent more time together, it became clear to Aaron there was a romantic connection between the two of them which he'd felt since they first met.

The couple finally got hitched in 2021.

Aaron has been documenting his journey on social media, and is speaking out now to help others.

"If people understand what it means to be trans they'll naturally be more accepting, and that's what drives me to do what I do".