We're getting married!

Bailey and Nick met in December of 2020. Bailey was living with her roommate Rachel who mentioned that she was meeting with some college friends that were in town and wanted Bailey to come with. The college friends included the famous Mr. Nick Yockey! Bailey invited him to a house party they were having the following evening - not expecting he would actually show! 24 hours later there was a knock at the front door and there Nick stood with a bottle of wine and bottle of sparkling water ready to party! From that day forward, Nick and Bailey were attached at the hip.

After a few days, Nick asked Bailey out on a proper date. He made a reservation at a sushi restaurant and was so excited to wine and dine her! Little did he know, Bailey actually hates fish. Not wanting to spoil the evening, Bailey kept this little detail to herself. Nick, feeling fancy, took charge of the ordering, and soon their table was filled with plates of raw fish - her favorite. Determined not to ruin the vibe, Bailey bravely closed her eyes, took a few bites, and washed it down with a bottle of sake (or two). Later she had to break the news to him.

We would be remiss if we didn't bring up Rue! In November of 2023, a sweet, black, fluffy puppy was surrendered to the rescue that Bailey helps run. She asked Nick to accompany her to pick up the puppy from the stranger's home and he obliged. The moment we saw her, she rolled on her back demanding belly rubs and kisses. When we picked her up, she wrapped her two little paws around Nick's arms and was attached to him the moment they met. Three days later, they decided to make it official and adopt her. They named her Rue. She has been the light of their lives and the true glue to the beginning of their little family.

Papa Rowan was an incredibly important person in Bailey’s life, and his passing in April 2022 left a lasting mark on her heart. In early 2024, Bailey's hometown decided to honor his legacy by naming the local baseball field the Paul B. Rowan Memorial Baseball Field. Knowing how much this meant to Bailey, Nick reached out to the person who spearheaded the field dedication and enlisted his help. He had him ask Bailey, via Instagram, when she’d next be in town for “family photos for the town website.” Conveniently, Bailey and Nick were planning a trip home in late August for a wedding, so the timing worked perfectly. To sell the story, Nick even had Bailey’s nephews wear Papa’s ties to make it feel like a true family occasion. (Bailey, ever the detective, had tried to sniff out surprises before, so Nick had to get extra creative to keep her in the dark.) With the whole family gathered on the Paul B. Rowan Memorial Baseball Field, Nick got down on one knee and asked Bailey to marry him. In that beautiful moment, surrounded by her family and Papa’s memory, she said yes. It was, without question, the most special day of their lives so far.