Do dating apps work? At the time, Hailey didn’t trust online dating and thought that Ryan might have been a catfish. But after a week of phone calls and texts they finally met face-to-face (and she made sure to have her location tracked by her friend, Neil, on the entirety of that first date). Ryan was her first match that she met in person, and also the last. Now, three eventful journeys around the sun later, neither can see what life would look like without the other. The getting-to-know-you phase quickly evolved into their unique bond where her Disney personality can coexist with his hardcore horror-fan aesthetic. Ryan and Hailey met under modern circumstances, but because of that happenstance, it led to lifelong memories.

When Hailey woke up on November 21, 2023, she woke up knowing that the day would be filled with the sort of excitement that comes from achieving one of life’s big milestones. This was the day that she would be signing the closing papers for her new home with her remarkable boyfriend, and best friend. Little did she know that Ryan had more on his mind that day than receiving the keys to a new house. Hardly listening to the realtor’s banter as they walked through the empty rooms of their new home, Ryan pictured what the future would look like when they filled it. He pictured Christmas time, summer barbeques, and late nights laughing about everything and nothing, and he knew that Hailey was thinking similar things. Both knew that this was going to be the start of an exciting life together. It was on the front steps of this new home, before the paperwork was even signed, that Ryan proposed to Hailey (pretty gutsy if she said had no). As their realtor was taking the “new homeowners’ photo” Ryan got on his knee and put it all on the line. Totally bewildered, but without any hesitation, Hailey expressed her tear-filled YES and the next phase of their journey began.