Our story began long before we ever called it a love story. We first met in high school, but our lives had been crossing paths for many years. Our sisters, Taylor and Carli, had been best friends since kindergarten, and Brandon's mom, Deana, was even Haley's sister's cheer coach. By junior year of high school, we found ourselves in the same group of friends, and something between us started to grow. One of the first moments that stands out to us was an ice cream run with Mattie. Haley thought Brandon had a crush on Mattie, but all along it was Haley he was hoping to impress. Our sisters were the first to truly see what was happening. They begged us to go all go to lunch together and practically sat us down at Chili's to tell us that if we didn't end up getting married and one day make them sisters, they'd be very upset with us. From there, everything began to fall into place. We went to high school football games together, Brandon asked Haley to prom, and we slowly started introducing each other to our families. Halfway through our senior year in the fall of 2017, we officially began dating. When it came time for college, we had both committed to different schools - Brandon to Mizzou and Haley to Western Michigan University, so long distance became part of our story from start. Even so, we chose it without hesitation.

When college began, we found ourselves in two different states - Brandon was in Missouri at Mizzou and Haley was in Michigan at Western Michigan University. Even though Brandon enjoyed Mizzou, something always felt like it was missing. Haley also enjoyed Western Michigan University and loved being just a couple hours away from home. We visited each other whenever we could. Haley travelled to Mizzou a couple times, and Brandon made some trips to visit Haley in Michigan. Meeting each other's friends, seeing each other's campuses, and getting a glimpse into our new lives apart helped us to stay connected. Daily FaceTimes, texting all day and night, and always knowing the next time we'd see each other made long distance feel possible. Everything changed when Brandon told Haley he wanted to transfer to Western Michigan University. Planning on how to share this news with our families was the moment we both realized this wasn't just young love, we were choosing a future together. During our sophomore year, Brandon transferred to Western Michigan University, and for the first time we were able to truly share a day-to-day life. We studied together, learned to cook dinner together, build friendships of our own, and built a life together at the same time. Brandon joined a fraternity, and our weekends became a mix of frat parties, formals, late-night studying, and cozy nights in. We experienced the best of times and the hardest of times, side by side. Those college years shaped us, strengthened us, and quietly confirmed what we already felt in our hearts: this was forever.

After college, our lives slowed down in the best way. Haley stepped into her career while Brandon finished his master's degree and studied for the CPA exam. Even though we were both still living at home, our days were still spent side by side. Haley worked her 9-5 while Brandon studied at her house. With our parents living so close, it was easy to navigate. During that season, we took a trip to Japan together. It was a trip that left a lasting mark on our lives and one we still talk about to this day. It deepened our bond, broadened our perspective, and gave us memories that will forever belong to us. In September of 2024, we made the move to Chicago after falling in love with the West Loop neighborhood. For the first time, we had a place that was truly ours. It was a home that reflected both of us and the life we were building together. Living together changed everything in the most meaningful way. We learned how to navigate big decisions as a team: where to live, how to grow our career, and how to begin shaping the blueprint of our future. Our days became defined by simple routines such as weekly grocery trips, cooking dinner together, splitting cleaning duties, and long walks around Fulton Market to debrief each of our days. It was in the quiet, ordinary moments that our relationship deepened the most, turning love into partnership, and a shared life into something that finally felt like home.

On June 30th 2025, Brandon planned a day that felt like a love letter to the life they had built together. With the entire week off work, the two filled their days with everything they loved about Chicago: being tourists in their own city, soaking in every moment together, and easing into the first day of their much-needed break. The day began at Navy Pier with a ride on the Ferris wheel, followed by sandwiches from Fontano's and a long walk along the lakefront to find the perfect spot for a picnic. Brandon kept suggesting they walk a little further, moving their destination along the water, until they finally reached the Chicago Marina. Once they laid out their blanket, Brandon asked what seemed like a stranger to take their photo. As the stranger took their photo, Brandon dropped to his knee and the stranger revealed a professional camera to capture the exact moment of the proposal. Cheers erupted from along the lakefront as the question was asked, turning the moment into something so joyful and unforgettable. After the excitement settled, they returned to their picnic and FaceTimed friends and family, still taking in all that had just happened. Later the evening, they headed home briefly before celebrating with dinner at Ciccio Mio. The final surprise came when Brandon suggested we go to La Serre for cocktails, where his parents and our siblings were waiting to join the celebration. The day was thoughtful, intimate, and unmistakably them. It was a reflection of the care, intention, and love that has defined their relationship from the very beginning. It marked the start of the next chapter; one built on a life already shared and a future chosen together.