Haley and Peyton's story started a long time ago.

It began when they were kids. Haley was two years older than Peyton. While Peyton always looked up to her, even when she did not notice.

Haley and Peyton both got involved in robotics at an early age, in eighth grade. Yet their paths did not fully cross until they reached high school. By the time Peyton was a sophomore, and Haley was a senior, they both were involved in different robotics teams. Even though they were on different teams, Peyton always noticed Haley. They seemed to always end up near each other during build sessions, or at competition events, but they never really took the time to connect. Not until one day.

It was at a robotics competition at Bethel Middle School that Mrs. Sheri was hosting a couple of years later. They even had the familiar buzz, the exciting chatter of teams running around, and last-minute adjustments that they had always loved. He was there waiting for his younger brother, and that's when he noticed Haley. There was something different that neither of them could explain. There was this change about them since the last time they talked.

They caught up, just the two of them, between the chaos of the event. It was easy-natural. They laughed about old memories, talked about where life had taken them since high school, and just enjoyed each other's company. After the competition wrapped up, Haley suggested they grab a bite to eat. Dairy Queen was the perfect choice. Haley, Peyton, and Josh went inside for a small snack. While they were inside, it started raining, and they ran out to their separate cars without saying any goodbyes. Peyton got inside his car, thinking about where they would go from there. So he jumped out before she could leave and jumped into her car. They talked for what felt like hours while Taylor Swift played softly in the background, filling in the space between them. The moment felt right, and everything seemed to fall into place.

From that night on, things started moving faster than either one of them had imagined. They started FaceTiming every day while she was away at college, those late-night conversations were something Peyton looked forward to - hearing about her day, sharing stories from his, and just enjoying the ease of being able to talk to her about anything. It was like they had picked up where they had left off, but this time, they were discovering a deeper connection.

On February 16th, 2024, they made it official. They decided to give this thing between them a real shot. No more wondering if it could work. It was the beginning of something new, and they both knew it. It felt like they were both ready for it, even if they had not fully realized it before.

A couple of weeks later, Peyton finally visited her at college. He had been counting down the days, nervous but excited to see her in her world. When he walked into her apartment, it felt like stepping into her life in a way that he had not been able to before. They spent the weekend together, doing the little things - wandering around campus, grabbing coffee, talking about everything and nothing. The more time they spent together, the clearer it became: this was something real.

As the months went on and their love for one another grew, Peyton knew he wanted to marry Haley. Then on December 15th, 2024, he asked her to marry him. It was not a big spectacle, but it did not need to be. It was just them, in a quiet moment, with everything he had wanted right in front of him. He could not imagine his life without her by his side. So, he asked and she said yes! It was simple and perfect, just like the love they had built over the past year.

Now, they are preparing for their wedding on June 14th, 2025. From their robotics days to their first kiss, tolerate-night FaceTimes, and visits across the miles, every moment with each other had them here. They are excited for the future, knowing that whatever happens, they will face it together.

Reception