It all started way back in junior year of high school when Hayden and Kaitlyn met through their mutual friend Pamela. They'd had a group of mutual friends for a while, but didn't start to talk to each other until Pamela decided to play match maker. Hayden and Kaitlyn conveniently kept ending up together at study sessions and celebrations at Pamela's house. That was where they started to get to know each other and the flirtation began. They became fast friends and started "talking" in December 2015 after Hayden delivered the cheesiest pick-up line Kaitlyn had ever heard, which of course she could not refuse. By February of 2016 Hayden asked Kaitlyn to be his girlfriend with an elaborate and adorable scavenger hunt date, and that was when their love story began.

After receiving a Beyonce inspired promposal, Kaitlyn danced the night away with Hayden at their first prom together. This is when Hayden got to see Kaitlyn's love for dancing for the first time (poor guy) and realized Kaitlyn would be pulling him out onto the dance floor any chance she got for the rest of time.

Hayden and Kaitlyn entered their senior year of high school together and were excited about all of the fun things they would do and accomplish that year. Kaitlyn loved going out and watching Hayden play football every Friday night, and especially loved the celebratory Bdubs team dinner with wings and corndog nuggets that would always follow. Hayden made a point to go to every single one of Kaitlyn's tennis matches that spring, and even though she wasn't amazing at it (she was more of a soccer player) he was always her number 1 fan. Finally they wrapped up senior year as Prom King and Queen before they headed off to college!

Hayden and Kaitlyn did the long distance thing all throughout college as Hayden went to VCU and Kaitlyn went to Liberty. The VCU Ram and the Liberty Flame kept their romance alive with regular FaceTime calls, sporadic weekend visits, and most of all through Hayden's cheesy pick-up lines and witty humor.

After Kaitlyn and Hayden both graduated college in December 2020, Kaitlyn got a job as a registered nurse and Hayden became an audit accountant. Shortly after returning home the couple decided they wanted to look for a place of their own. After looking through several apartments and houses on Zillow and touring a few duds, Hayden and Kaitlyn finally found their dream home in good ol' Mechanicsville!

After seven and a half years of dating, Hayden finally popped the question in August of 2023 the day before the couple went on their first European vacation!! Hayden staged a fake family photo shoot and surprised Kaitlyn with the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. It truly was the easiest "YES!" Kaitlyn has ever had to say.

The rest of Hayden and Kaitlyn's story has yet to be written, however, they are eager and excited to be celebrating the next chapter with all of you soon!