Nine years ago, Haley and Jake met during their freshman year at Chico State University through CoCo (Community Council). Their first encounter was at an ugly sweater contest during a Christmas party—Jake won with popularity, and Haley with creativity (hers featured a mirror taped to the front). From the very beginning, Jake was head-over-heels for Haley. He used to watch her line up outside her RA class from his dorm window and daydream about asking her out (a little creepy in hindsight, but also kinda cute). Nearly nine months later, he handed his phone number to a mutual friend, who passed it along to Haley. She texted him soon after, and after two weeks of nonstop conversation and one coffee date at Starbucks, Jake asked Haley to be his girlfriend—on Halloween. Haley, the responsible Resident Advisor with a spotless record, didn’t quite know what to make of Jake, who had broken his fibula at a party and once hosted a bash that reportedly got 23 RAs fired. But beneath the party boy exterior, she found someone loyal, goofy, and full of heart. And Jake? He was immediately hooked—charmer by nature, romantic at heart. Over the years, they’ve faced their share of challenges—moments of grief, self-doubt, change, and growth. Life didn’t always make it easy, but through it all, they showed up for each other. They stood by one another during long-distance stretches—first when Haley studied abroad, and again for four years while she pursued her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in Missouri. Both times, they thought they might go their separate ways. Both times, they didn’t. No matter the distance, the detours, or the curveballs life threw their way, they always found their way back to each other. And now, after nearly a decade of love, laughter, and unwavering loyalty, they’re ready to begin their next chapter—together, for good.