Love stories often start in unique ways, and this one is no exception. It all started in the 7th/8th grade when Reaghan and Clay sat next to each other in band class. They went from merely knowing each other existed to rushing to class every day to spend as much time together as they could. With Reaghan graduating 8th grade and Clay staying behind to finish out junior high, things fizzled out rather quickly with Clay iconically telling Reaghan that she "just wasn't his type".

Fast forward to their sophomore and junior years of high school, Clay and Reaghan were paired up again in PE class as pickleball partners thanks to Coach Phil Leib who is now their wedding officiant. Covid ended that school year shortly, but the pickleball pair remained in touch via texting until the stay-at-home rules faded and they were reunited in person once again. They began dating on May 30th of 2020 when Clay was finally able to admit that maybe Reaghan was his type after all.

As the years flew by, the two experienced many things together — school dances, graduations, weddings, vacations, heartaches, joys, and all the in between. Through it all, they remained committed to their love for one another. Clay popped the question on November 25th, 2024 which also happened to be Reaghan's 21st birthday. As their big day quickly approaches, the couple would like to thank each and every one of you for being a special part of their love story. Reaghan and Clay look forward to many years of happiness as they grow old together on their grain and cattle farm in Southern Illinois —where their story began.