Our story begins in a most unexpected place – a college dorm bathroom at Western Washington University. Our paths converged in a setting of shared friends and a very, very chill RA. But what began as a casual connection would years later grow into something beautiful to last forever. Late-night chats, Michael's math tutoring sessions, and casual hangouts were the norm, building a bridge between us that felt easy and familiar. The backdrop of college life set the scene and provided a place for a fun and exciting friendship! After years of going off in our own directions came that fateful night in Bellingham, in the summer of 2018. A craving led Haley to Pel'meni, an old favorite, and to her surprise, Michael was behind the counter! The reunion sparked a connection that neither of us could ignore. A moment was captured amid the dumplings and laughter – Haley's white lace dress that Michael still calls his favorite today. As the gentle flirting and catching up wore on, Haley invited Michael to a gathering later that week, now that she knew he was still in Bellingham. A Solstice gathering, with stars above and the warmth of the bonfire, became the catalyst for change. With the ambiance and laughter, the thought of us being more than friends began to take root. Summoning her courage, Haley took the plunge and asked Michael out on a date! Our first official outing, at Bellingham's Downtown Sounds, marked the beginning of a new era that felt remarkably different yet perfectly right. Our journey quickly evolved into a love story – brimming with stolen glances, inside jokes, and laughter that joyfully painted our days. From dancing at Summer Meltdown to finding tranquility in our many hikes together, every moment spent together felt like a cherished memory in the making. As we stand anticipating our forever, our story speaks to the power of unexpected twists and the beauty of moments that change everything. From a dorm bathroom and Pel'meni to a future unknown, we embrace the journey that led us to this point. With the memory of a white lace dress and several goofy dance moves, we step boldly into this next chapter, ready to embrace whatever comes our way.

Our proposal story is a blend of laughter, love, and a dash of quirky magic that perfectly captures the essence of who we are as a couple. It starts as a Friendsgiving celebration planned by Michael and our close-knit friend group, set against the backdrop of Lake Goodwin. Little did Haley know, this gathering was destined to be the scene of a moment she would cherish forever. During the year Haley was living in the charming ADU at her mom and stepdad's lakeside paradise, a plan was set into motion. Our friends and family joined forces with Michael to create an unforgettable evening, perfectly timed to Haley's stay at the lake for her final year of midwifery school. As the pieces fell into place, there was a curious twist – Haley's family had also planned a get-together for the same night. A perplexing coincidence, she thought. Unfortunately, the overlapping plans forced Haley to decline her family's invitation, as she was already committed to hosting the Friendsgiving in the ADU. The evening of Friendsgiving arrived, and the atmosphere was filled with warmth, laughter, and heartfelt toasts. As the evening drew to a close, Haley's sister, Lia, extended an invitation for everyone to come down to the main house to meet her 11-month-old daughter, Sloan. With everyone gathered in the main house, Haley was simply happy enough to bridge the two events and share time with some of her favorite people in one spot. And that's when Michael did something that seemed unusual, even after all the heartwarming moments shared at dinner. He called for yet another toast. As he again shared his heartfelt sentiments for everyone in the room, Michael's words took a delightful turn that caught everyone off guard. With his gaze fixed on Haley, he gracefully descended to one knee... and presented two tickets to a Matchbox Twenty concert – an affectionate nod to our "first fight," a lighthearted disagreement about the band. The room was alight with astonishment and amusement as the emotional roller coaster continued. Just as everyone, including Haley, believed they had unveiled the plot, Michael reached into his pocket and retrieved a ring – a family heirloom bestowed by Haley's grandparents, who were married for over seven decades. Before the eyes of some of our dearest friends and beloved family, Michael posed the question that would shape our next adventure together. With all eyes on us, Michael's proposal transformed that evening into a moment neither of us would ever forget. Surrounded by some people we cherish most, we stepped into a new chapter of our journey. Our proposal encapsulated the essence of our story – unexpected, heartwarming, and uniquely us.

Six years ago, two fun-loving humans embarked on a journey that would become the most incredible chapter of their lives. Fast forward to today, and we can't help but reflect on the whirlwind of joy, challenges, and unforgettable moments that have shaped us into who we are as a couple. At the start of our journey, our lives were filled with a series of homes and roommates who soon became lifelong friends. We both had the chance to make these spaces truly special, where we formed connections that added joy and love to our budding relationship and endured the trials of time. Enter Bean, our feisty first feline, and Banjo, our sweet, playful doggo. Bringing a balance of chaos and cuddles, our household became a symphony of paws, whiskers, and heartfelt laughter. Amid a global pandemic, we found strength in each other as we got used to the new 'normal'. Concerts and festivals turned into cozy nights at home, and while the world seemed to stand still, we kept busy building our garden, returning to school, and working at our beloved Pel`meni together. Life threw us curveballs as Haley ventured into different towns for school, helping us learn how to stay close despite the distance. But every challenge only taught us more, making us realize that we can always figure things out with plenty of patience, communication, and understanding. In 2021, we embarked on the tiny house journey, our first place to call our own. Two minutes from our sacred Lake Padden, where our conversations have painted the skies with shared aspirations, we found our future home in each other's company. Our days are a blend of home improvement escapades, culinary creations, and moments of pure togetherness. Whether just the two of us or a room full of cherished souls, every moment feels unbelievably easy and joyful. And now, as we stand on the threshold of yet another new chapter, our hearts brim with gratitude. Michael's dream job as a biologist at Leon Environmental and Haley's cherished role alongside Eloisa at Gentle Hands Midwifery have us stepping into this new journey with joy and purpose. So here's to six years of dancing to our own tune, making memories out of moments, and creating a life that's nothing short of magical. As we step into marriage, we do so with hearts overflowing with love and heads filled with plenty of dreams. Our love story is our greatest masterpiece, and together, we're ready to keep painting the canvas forever!