It all started when Haley began working at Academy Sports + Outdoors in July of 2019. At that time, Ben had already been working for two years in the team sports department. At the beginning, Ben worked mornings and I worked evenings so we didn’t really see each other. But, once the fall semester began, we spent more time together at work. The more shifts they worked, the more they looked forward to seeing each other’s name on the work schedule. They even started leaving each other cute post it notes around Academy. It took a couple months, but after telling everyone at work that she thought Ben was cute, he added her on Snapchat. About a week later, on Tuesday October 29th, Ben finally worked up the courage to ask Haley to go to Raising Cane’s. (Because who doesn’t like Cane’s?) The rest is history. :)

On Saturday, July 15, 2023, Haley woke up at 5 am to volunteer with her mom and sister at a 5k. Little did she know, Ben also woke up at 5 am to begin decorating our bedroom. While Haley was away, Ben covered the wall from floor to ceiling in post it notes, that stated one of the many reasons he loves her, and how excited he is to spend the rest of their lives together. Haley walked in to the apartment at around 10 am and noticed the Ben was dressed in a dress shirt with his hair done. She found this odd, but they had plans to get brunch that morning so didn’t think much of it. Ben had told her he had found a Cardinals squishmallow when he went to the store that morning. She went into the bedroom to instead find candles, flowers, chocolates, and the post it notes. When she turned around, Ben was down on one knee with a beautiful ring in his hand. That moment was a dream come true for the both of us!