In early September 2020, fate worked its magic when Maddie and Cody crossed paths on Bumble. At the time, Maddie was a sophomore at Texas Tech University, while Cody was a junior. From their first conversations, they sensed that their connection was something more than just digital. This realization led Maddie to introduce Cody to her circle of friends, setting the stage for an evening that would quietly solidify the presence of someone truly special in her life.

With the warm approval of Maddie’s friends, Cody planned their first date—a charming night at Olive Garden, followed by a cozy evening of baking homemade sugar cookies. Though both were initially a bit reserved, they slowly began to let down their guards, and by the end of the night, a genuine and easy connection had taken root.

A few weeks later, their budding relationship took them to the South Plains Fair, along with Maddie’s friends. As they rode the Ferris wheel together, Maddie, despite her slight nervousness about the heights, found herself eagerly anticipating a moment that never came—the moment when Cody might ask her to officially be his girlfriend.

After leaving the fair and arriving at Maddie's dorm, Cody asked Maddie to help him study for his MCAT exam, turning a late-night study session into a carefully crafted plan. As they worked through flashcards, Maddie noticed a few that seemed out of place. With cautious curiosity, she began to read them. The first asked, "Someone Cody likes a lot and would love to spend more time with." The answer? "Maddie." The next read, "Something Cody would like Maddie to consider." Cody's answer, "If she would be his girlfriend."

With that thoughtful and creative gesture, Cody officially asked her to be his girlfriend—and, of course, she said yes.

The photo above was taken right after they rode the Ferris wheel. A few hours later, Cody would ask Maddie to be his girlfriend.

On Friday, November 3, 2023, Maddie and Cody dressed up for what was supposed to be a glamorous evening at Cody's Medical School Gala. It promised to be a night filled with fun, where Maddie would meet Cody’s classmates and dance the night away. The couple arrived early at the George W. Bush Presidential Library, excited to meet friends and capture some memories before the event began.

As they made their way down to the library’s gardens, they were greeted by a few of Cody’s friends, who eagerly helped set up for photos. Maddie and Cody strolled through the beautifully landscaped paths, posing amongst the vibrant flowers while Cody's friends snapped pictures.

After a few shots, in a moment that felt almost magical, Cody gently kissed Maddie and, to her complete surprise, knelt down on one knee. With a smile, he asked her the question she had always hoped to hear. Maddie, stunned and overjoyed, responded with an enthusiastic, "Yes!"

It was then that Cody revealed his final surprise: there was no Med Gala at all. The entire event had been a ruse—a clever plan to ensure Maddie would be dressed to perfection for this special moment. The night continued with a celebratory dinner at a beautiful restaurant, ending with cookies, a sweet homage to their very first date.