We first met at Washington State University, our Senior year in September of 2022, and immediately couldn't stop talking to each other. We met at a friend's birthday party and we chatted until 3 am. From our first conversation about Roth IRAs, hobbies, and passions, we knew there was something special between us.

Although we first met in September 2022, we didn’t officially start dating until October 2023. Life kept us a little apart—Hayley was finishing her second semester in Seattle with an internship, and Alex was preparing for a new job in Arizona—but we kept talking and growing our friendship the whole time. By June, Alex had moved to Arizona, and with a few visits back and forth, it was clear we were ready to take the next step. On October 8th, after a little nudge from Hayley, we officially became a couple—and the rest, as they say, is history.

On May 17, 2025, Alex proposed to Hayley at Lost Dutchman State Park in Arizona, chosen simply for the views and the chance to spend a quiet day outdoors. To keep the surprise intact, Alex told Hayley they were helping friends Jaron and Morgan with a couple's photoshoot—what she didn’t know was that they were fully in on the plan, cameras ready to capture everything. The moment stayed private, with just the four of us there, and Hayley only started to suspect something was happening when Alex suddenly seemed much more nervous than usual. After Hayley said yes, she spent the drive to dinner calling friends and family to share the news, and we celebrated together over dinner to mark the beginning of this next chapter.

Throughout our relationship, we’ve shared so many special adventures; from camping trips, snowboarding, and hiking. We’ve also been grateful for the chance to celebrate meaningful moments, like traveling to Maui for Derek and Sarah's wedding, southern Washington for Beth and Logan's wedding, visiting cousin Bart and Trevor in San Diego, or a spontaneous day trip to Leavenworth just because. On quieter days, you can often find us trying out new coffee shops, going for walks together, or checking out new restaurants. Each experience has reinforced how important it is to have someone supportive to go through life with.

We’re excited to begin this next chapter together and continue building a life we both love. We look forward to more adventures, laughs, and everyday moments side by side. We’re grateful to have your support and can’t wait to share more memories and milestones with the people who mean the most to us.