How We Met
Hayden and I met on Tinder in 2017. We were both 20 years old and in college and Hayden had just moved to Florida and I was getting ready to graduate. We talked back and forth on the app for several weeks, but at first, I didn’t have time to meet with finals and graduation looming. But he was patient and understanding, saying he could wait until after I was finished. Fast forward a few weeks and we finally had our first date. Funny enough, I still remember it like it was yesterday. Our first date was our first time meeting in person, and the minute I saw him standing outside the restaurant, I thought to myself “this is it.” And man was I right.
After that first date, we were inseparable. Being together was so easy, so fun, and so obvious that Hayden didn’t even think to ask me to be his girlfriend! He suddenly introduced me as that one day, and the rest is history. Being with Hayden has been the most amazing year of my life. I have never felt so supported, so loved, so looked after and so whole. We’ve now been together for four years, and in that time we battled long-distance, moved across the country together, bought a home, adopted our dog (Noodle the Doodle!), and are now happily engaged. I’m eternally grateful for the years we’ve had together, but now more than anything I’m so excited for what’s next.
How They Asked
Hayden and I have some friends in the wedding industry in Kansas City, and sometimes they ask us to model for them in styled photoshoots. We’ve done it a few times, so when I was asked if we’d be willing to do be featured in a “small business date night ideas” photoshoot, I immediately said yes! I was given clear instructions for the photoshoot for time, place and what to wear and look like, so I never thought it was anything but business. But that’s where I was wrong.
We arrived at what I thought was the first stop in the photoshoot: Kansas City Tiny Greenhouse, where we surrounded by plants, greenery, and pure beauty. We began taking basic pictures and product photos, and I still had no idea what was going on! The photographer and planner, my friends Molly and Mallory, asked me to hold a cake from a local business for product photography.
While taking photos holding the cake, I didn’t realize Hayden was standing just behind me, waiting patiently. When I handed the cake back and turned around for more photos, he was on one knee. I, of course, immediately start crying and laughing due to the complete surprise and shock!
He asked me to marry him and spend forever with him and it was the easiest yes. I’ve loved this man for four years and I’ll love him for 400 more. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect proposal in a more beautiful setting for us. It was a moment in time I’ll never forget.
