Jon & Bailey met in one of the only ways available during a global pandemic - through the dating app Hinge. Bailey had been in quarantine for a few days as a precaution due to a new strain of Covid-19 going through the Michigan Athletic Department. She decided to kill time by joining a dating app. On that same night, Bailey got a message from a guy named Jon and was immediately intrigued by his genuine nature and the lack of a cheesy pick-up line. The two hit it off and a few days later scheduled a FaceTime date. Despite their awkwardness in trying to get to know each other virtually, they decided that when Bailey's quarantine ended they should meet up in person. A week later, Superbowl Sunday, Jon drove the hour from Lansing, Michigan down to Belleville, Michigan where Bailey was currently living. Bailey suggested that to kill time before the game started they should take her dog, Nike, on a walk at their favorite trail at Lillie Park. Before Jon got in the car, Bailey warned him that Nike took a while to warm up to strangers and he would probably try to get onto her lap while she was driving. Jon, determined to win Nike over, joked that he was sure that Nike would love him. He was right. Nike got in the car and immediately climbed onto Jon's lap to lie down. The three had a great time on the walk and were stunned by how easy and natural being together felt. A little over two years later, Jon suggested they take Nike on this same walk, which the two did regularly. Little did Bailey know the surprise the two of them had in store...

When Jon started planning the proposal, there was only one way he could think of doing it. Bailey and Jon’s first date was walking Nike at Lillie Park in Ann Arbor. Conveniently, Jon and Bailey currently live right down the road from Lillie and frequently still walk Nike there. Jon’s parents were visiting from Wisconsin one weekend in April, setting the perfect time to celebrate. With the help of Harley (the future maid of honor), Jon began preparing for the big day. He enlisted help from both of their moms, who were very excited to contribute. Through a lively group chat, several phone calls, and a final preparation Zoom meeting, the plan was set. What Bailey thought was just a normal afternoon walk to expend Nike’s energy before Jon’s parents arrived turned out to be a moment that changed their lives. Throughout the walk, Jon was filled with emotions. He was nervous about if the timing would work out right (it did), trying to not be too obvious when he felt for the ring (he failed), but mostly just excited for what was about to happen. At the end of the walk, Jon steered Bailey towards a gazebo, where she realized what was happening. The gazebo was decorated by both sets of parents (Jon’s got there early and went straight to the park to preserve the surprise), Robert and Heather, and Harley, who flew in from California for the big day. After the big moment and a lot of happy tears, everyone went back to Jon and Bailey’s house to celebrate in the best possible way, with a cookout with loved ones.