Believe it or not, this story starts 15 years ago. Kanapaha Middle School - the stomping grounds for the two. Jonathan was in seventh grade and Hayley was in sixth. They hung out with the same group of people and lots of mutual friends. Funny enough, they we’re “boyfriend and girlfriend” for a period of time. Oh, the middle school love, isn’t it wonderful?! During this day and age, cell phone calls were free after 9pm and texts were paid for individually, no unlimited plans. They would call each other at night and spend hours on the phone and text when they could. Hayley’s dad was not the biggest fan of Jonathan, being a pre-teen/teenage boy with teenage boy intentions. On one particular phone bill, they sent so many text’s to each other, the bill was over $400. Needless to say, this didn’t make Hayley’s dad too happy either, and some choice words were said and those nights quickly ended. As most middle school relationships are, it didn’t last. Jonathan left middle school a year before Hayley and they went to different high schools. Their friendship dwindled after this and neither thought that they would see each other again, not because of their own doing, but because that is how life works. Little did they know, this was just the beginning of their future together.

In early 2019, they were both on Tinder. To Hayley’s surprise, when she swiped right, it was a match! They talked for a short period of time, and things didn’t really go anywhere. A few months went by and a few more conversations later, they set up their first date. Jonathan actually admitted later on he didn’t know if it was a date or just old friends catching up, but when he arrived to pick up Hayley, he quickly realized that it was. A very casual date to Big Top Brewery for some craft beer and a trivia night that was an epic fail turned into more dates and more time spent together. May 26, 2019 while celebrating Hayley‘s birthday, Jonathan asked Hayley if she wanted to be his girlfriend. Hayley was honest and wasn't sure if she was ready to date again and she was worried about hurting him in the process, but she also knew that he was an amazing person Jonathan that he wanted her to be comfortable and ready before commitment. She said, “let me think about it,” and his response was, “when you’re ready you let me know. I’ll be here.” It didn't take long for Hayley to make the decision that would change both of their lives forever.

The next day, May 27th, 2019, she called Jonathan and said, “Yes!” Jonathan replied that it had to be done “the right way.“ He drove to Hayley‘s apartment and asked her in person. Even though she told him that it wasn't necessary, Jonathan was insistent. They both knew that their previous relationships had a big impact on them and wanted to make sure that the effort, time, and communication were put in to make their relationship last.

Finally, the special day had arrived that he had managed to keep secret from Hayley. They both knew it wasn’t a matter of if they were going to get married, it was when. From the very beginning talks of getting married, Jonathan always said he wanted to ask for Hayley‘s dad‘s approval. With their history from his middle school days, in the beginning, Hayley wasn’t so sure about this idea, but every time they went to go visit Hayley‘s dad, it was as if nothing ever happened. Whether her dad just didn’t remember or chose to give him a chance since he was older, she will never know. Jonathan had to find a way to make this happen without Hayley finding out. While she slept he took her phone tried to remember her phone password. Once he finally did, he sent himself her dad‘s number and deleted the text he sent himself. Before reaching out, he went and bought her ring to take with him when he asked. Jonathan said they told stories about Hayley and that all her dad cared about was that she was happy. Hayley‘s dad‘s exact words were, “If she’s happy, then I’m happy and that’s what matters.” With a ring in hand and the approval from dad, Jonathan just had to figure out when. On their last day in New York City, they visited The Edge. This was supposed to be a view from the city 100 stories up during sunset and it was Jonathan‘s plan to propose outside with a view of the city around them. That was the only day that it rained while they were in New York. Quickly thinking, when Hayley said she wanted to take pictures, Jonathan knew this was his opportunity. He found the closest employee and asked her to take their picture. This employee had no idea what he had planned, but managed to catch the whole thing on video and take multiple pictures. The moment that he worked so hard to plan and keep secret was there and it was answered with an astounding “yes!” Now, comes the fun part of planning a wedding and celebrating the rest of their lives together.