We met in our first semester of medical school at SLU after a major anatomy exam. God put Hailey and me (Joe) right next to each other throughout the exam, and I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful girl next to me. Afterwards, our class went to a bar called Molly’s to celebrate. There, I recognized a group of classmates watching the World Series. I joined them and immediately recognized Hailey as the same girl that was near me during the exam. We proceeded to talk nonstop for the next 4 hours until the bar closed…

I was too nervous to get Hailey’s phone number that night. During the next week in class, the only thing on my mind was figuring out ways to talk to her again. I knew exactly where she sat, but could never find the right time to approach her. While hanging out with friends on October 21st, I had mentioned Hailey and how much fun we had chatting together. The next day, another friend texted me saying Hailey had said the same thing about me the night prior with her friends.

Well, the second week came and went and still no contact with Hailey. We took another exam on Friday October 28th and proceeded to go out to the bars again to celebrate. I went back to Molly’s, praying Hailey would do the same. She did.

We picked up right where we left off that night, talking until bar close. This time I not only got her number, but set up our first date, which was a stroll through Forest Park on Sunday October 30th.

Things moved fast between the two of us. I asked her to be my girlfriend on November 18th, the day before we each went home for thanksgiving break. I remember I couldn’t wait to return from break to see her. I was itching to leave home for one of the first times in my life. I knew then that I would marry her.

I went home with Hailey to meet her family that Christmas break for a weekend. She would meet my family in Ohio later that January.

I said “will you marry me?” on June 1, 2024, which Hailey returned with an “Of course!” and many hugs.

My home

My home I thought was on road Q

But all that changed when I met you

The friends, the family, here so few

Nothing could pull me away from you

We chose first, to college we went

The fun, or the grind, were readily spent

Memories made helped us get by

But they also kinda left us dry

God chose next, to St. Louis we moved

We were hand chosen by Him and He approved

God brought us to Mollys that October night

In the midst of the darkness, we found our light

From a corn bread text to a walk in the park

You yourself sure left a mark

We climbed and dinned and kissed a little too

Til my heart completely fell for you

Millie’s house became our home

The life we dreamt is now our own

We kept the cross on our back door

A truth we live to our core

As we look on, we trust Him still

Our future is the greatest thrill

Life with you is sweet like a honeycomb

You, Joesph, are now my home.