By Maiya Tomlin
If you have ever seen a brunette senior boy and a blonde junior girl walking around the Lovett hallways, most likely with Chick-fil-a in hand, and most likely late to school, that’s Alex Martorella and Hope Maner.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, I had a FaceTime chat with Hope and Alex (when they were together at Alex’s house) and asked about their relationship and plans for the special day. I also happened to catch them on their 20-month anniversary!
I first had to know how Hope and Alex became Hope-and-Alex, aka the first time they met. Unfortunately, I have to edit the story slightly to avoid name-dropping; however, they met because Hope was sleeping over at the house of a friend, who happened to be dating one of Alex’s friends at the time.
“I looked up his Instagram and thought he was chopped because I saw a picture of him with a buzz[cut],” Hope said. “But then I realized he was actually cute when he snapped me.” We can always count on Hope for some honesty.
“What were your first impressions of each other?” I asked.
“I thought she was short,” Alex told me. I can also appreciate Alex’s honesty.
I then asked them to describe their relationship in three words. “I don’t know a good word for funny. We take our relationship seriously, but we joke a lot,” Hope said.
“So… funny?” I asked.
“Funny, happy, and silly,” Hope affirmed.
Something you may not expect about Hope and Alex is that they watch Love Island when they’re bored, according to Hope.
“Wait, what?” Alex responded, not hearing Hope clearly.
“Is Alex aware you watch Love Island?” I asked.
“Oh yes, I have peacock,” Alex replied. Alex pulled up his Peacock homepage on the TV screen, which is the streaming service to watch Love Island, if you were unaware.
“He yells at me to get off my phone when we watch,” Hope added. Though it took a moment for some clarification, the two seemed to be very dedicated Love Island watchers.
Another thing you may not (or most likely) have expected is that both Hope and Alex have ADHD. After learning that fact, this interview may make a lot more sense.
I asked them what is something small the other person does that means a lot. “I like it when he sends me bible verses,” she said.
Alex pondered the question for a moment.
“Do I really not do that much?” Hope asked, laughing.
“Wait, I have to think, this is going in the book.” The newspaper, Alex, but yes.
“I like how she watches all the [Instagram] reels I send her,” he said.
“Every single one he sends me, actually, I don’t swipe through ’em and actually watch them,” Hope added. A sign of true, undying love, if you ask me.
This Valentine’s Day, the couple has big plans, according to Hope. “He’s buying me a Louis Vuitton bag, a Gucci bag, and a Gucci wallet,” she said.
He looked bemused. “We’re going to a nice dinner,” Alex corrected.
A 20-month-long relationship is definitely a huge milestone for a high school couple. I was curious what they do to prioritize each other even in the heat of school, activities, and sports. “Just always telling each other how you feel,” Hope said. “Yeah. Communication’s a really big thing for us,” Alex agreed.
“Like communicating, ‘Hey, I’ve just had a really long day at school and stuff, I’m not going to be in a good mood when you call me. I’m really exhausted, so don’t piss me off,” Hope joked.
Alex recently committed to Auburn University, but in the meantime, the two are excited to spend time together in Sea Island, Georgia, over the Fourth of July. “I’m also really looking forward to visiting him at college,” Hope added.
Finally, I asked the two what their favorite things about each other are.
“My favorite thing about Hope is that she’s always positive,” Alex said.
“My favorite thing about Alex–,” Hope started before Alex interrupted, “I have to go to the bathroom.” Clearly, he wasn’t so eager to hear his compliment.
Hope and I waited a moment.
“He’s almost done. Hello? Are you in there?” Hope shouted, then began to narrate the situation. “Alex had to take a quick, momentary break to go to the bathroom, which felt like ages.”
I heard Alex creeping back into frame, and I continued where we left off: “Okay. What’s your favorite thing?” I then heard him scurry out of frame again.
“He just left again,” Hope said. “You don’t need your water bottle right now,” she said to Alex, laughing. Now, is it obvious they both have ADHD? And that Hope knows him well enough to know he’s too dependent on his water bottle?
“My favorite thing about you is that whenever I have a horrible day, you can just make me laugh,” Hope said. “Or if I have a headache, it sometimes goes away when I hang out with him because I’m just laughing, and I kind of forget about it,” she added.
Finally, Hope told me they’re excited to exchange gifts this Valentine’s Day, as well. “I bought out the entirety of the Smathers and Branson website and the Onward Reserve store for him,” she claimed.
No word yet on whether he ever made it to Phipps for the Gucci stuff.
