I could go many ways to tell you about Haley and I's story. I've gone back and forth between a timeline of our most important moments, making up a story of how I saved her from a dragon, and even just asking you all to wait to see our story on display at the wedding. However, Haley just turned 23 on September 26th, and I thought a great present would be to surprise her by what our story looks like through my eyes. Happy birthday honey!

As some of you know, Haley and I met online through a dating app called Hinge. I have since learned that we matched because her best friend encouraged her to say yes to my profile, thank you Cassidy! Now, what I saw through my eyes was a gorgeous woman, who fit everything I was looking for on paper. What I didn’t realize in that moment was how much she matched parts of me I wasn’t even aware of. Soon after we matched and started talking to one another, we finally met up in person. Our first date was at a sushi restaurant in Florence, KY. The date was perfect, and we had a lot of fun, but I saw so much more through my eyes. I saw a woman who was pure in beliefs, pure in her mind, and pure in her heart. It seemed like every time a new topic came up, we knew exactly what the other person was going to say. As if we had known each other for a long time, and we were meeting up again as new people. I also saw the depths of her eyes and knew that I could spend a lifetime looking into her beautiful eyes. We started our relationship on the right foot, and this date set us off to have the best relationship together.

After our first date, we went on to learn each other more through a lot of text messages, facetimes, and many more dates. Some of our first early dates included hikes, movie nights, cooking together, exploring Cincinnati (baseball, zoo, drives through neighborhoods, fireworks, etc.), parties with friends, even making blankets together! In all these experiences, through my eyes I found my true other half. I saw someone who got my sense of humor, who became equally excited about holidays, who found family as important as I did, who got as excited about dates as I did, and someone who I knew I wanted to fall in love with. Through my eyes, it became clear that she was the one for me.

After I asked Haley to be my girlfriend, our relationship has taken many steps and matured in many ways. We introduced each other to our families, showed each other our stomping grounds, started forming a schedule together, found more ways to show each other our love, and really began to think of what life could look like together. As we grew deep in love, through my eyes I saw someone who would give her everything for our relationship. No matter how severe of issues I was facing such as questions of my faith, questions of where my career was heading, questions of if I am confident in myself as a man, Haley has always been open and supportive to give me strength when I can’t find it myself. We both put everything we can into this relationship and have built a solid foundation together with the help of God. Love is not just about the fun and exciting date nights, or the laughs you share when you are being silly. Love is not just about reminiscing on your memories together, and dreaming about what the future looks like. Love shows it’s true colors when it is needed most.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). I have found myself to fall deeply in love with Haley over the years we have been together, because frankly it would be impossible not to. Continuing to find new ways to fall in love with her has been one of the best choices I have ever made in my life.

On May 10th, 2024, my knee hit the ground right in front of the Cincinnati Music Hall with Haley’s hand in mine. I had a feeling she would say yes, and in my eyes, I found the most beautiful woman in complete shock. So much shock, she was actually saying “No, no, no” (sorry 😊 I had to mention it). Normally this would be a nightmare for the man proposing, however her and I both knew that this meant, “No way, no way, no way”! After a long hug and a million questions running through her head, we headed to a restaurant with the biggest smiles on our faces. The shock of the proposal did not waiver, and we felt like we were on cloud 9 for the night and many days that followed. In the days that did follow, we both took our first official step together as a married couple, getting married! I have heard of wedding planning as a struggle, but through my eyes, I saw the process as one of the most exciting and fun things I have ever done. I still pinch myself to this day when I realize how much of an amazing, beautiful, and Christian wife I have found. We continue each day to push each other to live more life in this beautiful world. We continue to find new ideas and parts of each other, spending time appreciating the relationship we have built. When you find this Haley, I want you to know that you mean so much to me. I am so happy I have you in my life, and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you!

P.S. If you want to see the next step in our story, we will see you at the wedding!

Joey