Our story begins with a move. I had searched for work all around the Carolina’s before coming across an opportunity for work in Wadesboro, NC. I had never lived outside my great hometown of Greenville and I was a bit unsure about what a move would bring me. To my relief, I found tremendous friends at this new position who are still in my life and whom I share strong bonds. My life took an unexpected and unsettling turn with a breakup which found me hours from my hometown with my support system at home smaller than it used to be. I am fortunate that I had the support of my new friends during this time of uncertainty. Despite discouraging circumstances, I found the will and desire to start anew in my love life. It was then that I matched online with this person, who prided herself in knowledge of random facts and sales tax regulations. My conversations with Hayli, from the very beginning, came so naturally to me, as it was very apparent that her and I shared many of the same values as well as our love and passion for humor and all of life around us. It took us almost 2 months to finally meet due to varying circumstances, including Covid outbreaks (It was staying home due to Covid infection, that helped lead Hayli to me after all). There were times where I wondered if I would ever meet Hayli and if maybe I was getting my hopes up too much. Despite doubts, I kept my will to meet her. Much to my delight, my conversations with her never dried up. When we finally met (much to my delight), we never missed a beat and we began spending plenty of time together. After our 3rd date, I knew that I had a rare person on my hands and I couldn’t, in good knowledge let this opportunity pass. After several more dates and time spent together, I asked Hayli to be my girlfriend, and since then, it was been 3 of the best years of my life. The Proposal (Michael's POV): After a happy three years, I suddenly asked myself the question regarding what else I needed to see from this person who had enriched my life in any way I could imagine. After a good deal of thought and prayer, I answered back with a small but resounding “NO”. I spoke with my family, who were long ago sold on Hayli, and on December 14th, 2025, I proposed to Hayli in the Western NC mountains (a favorite place of both Hayli and I).

After ending a relationship in late 2020 and some rough dates after, I found myself finally ready to rejoin the dating pool and resume my search for "Mr. Right" in August 2021 (thanks to a friend giving me the nudge I needed to just take a chance). Around that time, I found myself at home, in quarantine thanks to good old Covid-19. During my stir craziness, I came across this guy that really intrigued me, so I swiped right! He messaged pretty soon after we matched and there was a moment in my first messages to him, that I thought I had ruined it all (I may have been a little harsh in those messages, but didn't want to get my heart broken again!) - but thankfully he took those messages in stride and the conversation flowed so easily! He helped the time pass while I was at home sick. Almost two months after we first started talking, we had our first date at White Duck taco. Michael had travelled to Colorado with his friend Nate shortly after we began talking - and he brought me gifts from Colorado and my favorite candy! I remember not wanting the night to end - and thankfully he felt the same way - so we managed to get some ice cream too! I knew from that night that he was Mr. Right! The next 3 years brought the sickness, injuries, job changes and everything in between - and Michael's love and care never faltered. He was patient as I struggled, a shoulder to cry on when I was at my wit's end, and the best hand to hold while walking through this crazy thing called life. The Proposal (Hayli's POV): As we approached our 3rd anniversary, I was hoping that a ring was coming, but knew that it would come when the moment was right! And going into the weekend in Bryson City, NC with his family - I didn't see it coming. It was a perfect proposal, made even more perfect by incorporating our "more card" tradition and the mountains!