It was Fall of 2018, the first year of a new job in Minnesota for Hailey, and she had recently acquired a new Honda Civic to replace an older model that had been rear-ended. While learning the ins and outs of the new car, the fuel door latch malfunctioned and she needed some help. Knowing that Ryan was the resident "car guy" at the office, she took her chances and asked him if he could help her resolve the problem.

Through their efforts to fix the car, they began to realize how much they really enjoyed each other's company and their relationship soon grew from coworkers to good friends. Going on long drives and hanging out at the Talo apartment clubhouse after work playing pool while rush-hour traffic died down for Ryan's commute home were mainstays during this early period of their relationship. Hailey quickly realized that Ryan was a special person and she was excited to see what the friendship could turn into. (Ryan was a bit slower to come to the same realization.)

A few months went by and their special bond continued to strengthen. Ryan and Hailey were clearly evolving to more than just friends; it was maybe a bit more obvious to those outside of the relationship, as neither were ready to fully admit to themselves that they had met "the one" at work.

By October of 2019 the two were living together at Hailey's apartment, and Ryan had taken in Ripley as his own first pup; they were experiencing the many "firsts" of their relationship.

Fast forward almost 5 years and the two, who had quickly fallen for each other, are blissfully in love. They have explored overseas destinations together, lived in 3 different homes together, and are overflowing with excitement at the onset of the next chapter in their story.