Despite never having met, Hailey and Wylee knew about each other for a long time through several mutual friends. About 6 months before ever having a conversation their paths crossed several times at Montana Rodeos, and they both secretly had their eyes on each other. In January of 2022 while both attending the circuit finals, Hailey developed a pretty good crush on Wylee and was adamant to her mom that she was going to end up with him. A week later she finally worked up the courage to ask one of their friends for his number, and they have talked everyday since!

A few weeks later Wylee was entered in Rapid City, and Hailey gathered her mom and a few friends to make the trip down reassuring them it would be a super fun weekend. Towards the end of the rodeo, Hailey told everyone she was going to the bathroom and proceeded to sneak down stairs past all the security guards to go find Wylee. This was followed by their first date of walking around the trade show for an hour before Wylee hit the road again.

After that they found themselves talking to each other more and more, both going out of their way to rodeos the other was at. Finally in May they went on a trip together to Redding, CA followed by an all night drive back Wylee’s hometown rodeo where he introduced Hailey to his entire family as his girlfriend. She was delighted at the news they were dating despite finding out 3rd hand. Wylee went on to win the bull riding that night, making for a pretty special start to their new relationship!

As the months followed they really only saw each other on the road as they were both convinced that rodeo was the number one priority. Finally by that winter they both realized how much they really did love each other, laughed at how hard they were trying to avoid making things too serious, and after that were all in.

In December of 2023 Hailey had made her second NFR and had been nominated for photographer of the year for the first time. Following the awards banquet with a huge attendance of family and friends, Wylee popped the question, to which Hailey responded, “we can’t afford a wedding!” then realized that wasn’t the correct answer and followed it with a yes.

Photos