It started with a Stepbrothers quote and ended with tequila shots. Our first date was at Tequila Butcher, where we decided it was a great idea to try every "cool looking" drink on the menu. Needless to say, we couldn't drive home. Hayley was embarrassed (after all... it was a Tuesday) and she figured she'd never see him again. Low and behold, Harlan called her (on the PHONE, not a text message! what a concept!) while she was at work the next day, and said he was making her dinner that evening. That Saturday, Harlan was in for a treat, as we went and saw a live band with Hayley's mom and stepdad. I suppose that's the fastest way to see if he's a trooper? The pandemic hit, and our COVID bubble was established. We (more like Harlan) became chefs, cooking meals together, playing board games and having meaningful conversations within our homes. You REALLY get to know someone quickly without outside noise. We both had a mutual love for adventure, and spent many hours in the car, exploring every corner of Minnesota and Wisconsin, camping, hiking, adventuring, and enjoying nature. Most weekends were spent at Hayley's family cabin in Hayward, Wisconsin. After a night of dancing in the living room in matching pj's we got at the local Walmart, we knew we loved each other. Harlan doesn't quite remember this... but one night, half asleep Harlan rolled over and looked at Hayley and said "I'm going to marry the shit out of you". Hayley laughed at the bold proclamation, but that's our style: open, honest and authentic. The two of us took a leap of faith, and moved to Baltimore in August. Harlan had lived in Minnesota his whole life and was ready for a change of scenery, while Hayley was attending graduate school. Living through a pandemic, road tripping across the country, and exploring a new city was another way to test our love for one another, and needless to say, we both passed! This is our happily ever after, and we can't wait to "marry the shit" out of one another.