Haley and Jake first crossed paths through Jakes best friend and current best man, Alejandro. Remarkably, Alejandro is not only Jakes close friend but also a cherished family acquaintance to Haley. Having known Alejandro and his family since birth, Haley regards them as part of her own family.
In 2013, the connection deepened when Alejandro invited Jake to join their family vacation at the Frio River. Since that memorable trip, Haley and Jake have maintained a close friendship, spending summers together at the river. That same year, Haley began attending Clear Lake Nazarene Church alongside Alejandro and Jake. It was within the walls of this church that she delved into relationships with peers, honed her prayer skills, embraced Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and forged a meaningful connection with Christ. Her spiritual journey culminated in her baptism in late 2014.
During this period, Haley actively participated in church activities, including Wednesday nights and teen events, fostering strong friendships with both Jake and Alejandro. At one amusing juncture, Haley, being a year older, playfully posed as Jakes girlfriend to enhance his cool factor at school. However, she never envisioned anything beyond a platonic friendship – a testament to the unpredictability of life.
Throughout her high school years, Haley temporarily stepped away from church events, losing touch with Jake for a while. Upon her return in 2017, she was struck by the realization that Jake had matured. It was then, for the first time, that she entertained the possibility of her and Jake evolving into more than just friends. Life has a way of surprising us, doesnt it?

While Haley believed she was the first to develop feelings, the truth was that Jake had been smitten with her since their initial encounter at Frio River. Despite harboring these feelings, Jake had never envisioned a possibility of a romantic connection between them.
Jakes kindness resonated with Haley, and she, being older, athletic, and fun, caught his eye. Together they were both outgoing and competitive, which drew them to each other. Their close bond flourished during Wednesday nights at church. By early 2018, Jake and Haley spent multiple days a week together, maintaining their connection through late-night FaceTime sessions and even FaceTime calls during school.
Both Jake and Haley harbored feelings for each other, but their shyness prevented them from admitting it. The revelation eventually occurred over an iPhone app where they played games together, marking a significant turning point in their relationship.
Jake escorted Haley as her date to her 10th-grade softball banquet, and during a car ride to church, they held hands for the first time. Their first kiss took place on a date to Kemah Boardwalk, and after six months of dating, they officially became a couple in the summer of 2018, just before Jakes 16th birthday. Celebrating this milestone, Jake, now with his drivers license, picked up Haley for their journey to his birthday dinner, providing Haley with the opportunity to officially meet his family and solidify their relationship.

On January 3, 2024, Jake proposed to Haley in a heartwarming journey that revisited significant places in their relationship. The couple ventured to five locations, each holding special memories for them.
Their first stop was Saltgrass, the setting of Haley’s inaugural dinner with Jake’s family, marking the official beginning of their relationship. Following that, they visited Walter Hall Park, where they spent much of the Covid era playing Pokémon Go, singing along to their favorite music at the top of their lungs, and capturing memories, including prom pictures.
Clear Lake Park was the third destination, a place where they had enjoyed anniversary picnics, witnessed beautiful sunsets, and where a memorable incident involving Haley falling into the cold water resulted in a change into Jake’s gym shorts during a date. Taylor Lake Park, the fourth stop, held sentimental value as it was where Haley candidly admitted her feelings for Jake in person. It was also a place for her familys Easter picnics and their shared activities like disc golf.
Lastly, they arrived at Kemah, where Jake and Haley shared their first kiss. Walking up and down the Boardwalk, reminiscing about their journey, Jake seized the perfect moment. At the end of their stroll, he asked Haley to gaze at the water, dropped to one knee, had her turn back around, and made a heartfelt proposal, creating a beautiful culmination of their love story.