All Hail Queen Hailinka!

Griffin Harrigan still laughs when he thinks about one of his very first dates with Hailey Rozanski. They were juniors at John Carroll University, just beginning to spend time together, when nerves got the best of her — and her dinner.

“On one of our first dates, Hailey was so nervous that she spilled her entire meal,” Griffin said. “Instead of it being awkward, it somehow made everything feel more real. I didn’t see embarrassment — I saw someone genuine, human and completely herself. That moment still makes me smile, even five years later.”

From that imperfect but unforgettable moment at their beginning, their relationship unfolded with ease. Conversation came naturally. Time together felt effortless. And before long, Griffin realized that being with Hailey simply made life better.

Hailey was born in Williamsville, N.Y., and grew up surrounded by close family ties. She is the daughter of Michelle and Dan, sister to Hannah, and a deeply devoted granddaughter to Baba and Jaja.

One of her family’s favorite stories traces back to her childhood, when she took her first steps in front of Baba and proudly shouted, “I did it, Baba!” — a moment that perfectly captures the determination and warmth that define her to this day.

“She’s always been driven, even from a young age,” Griffin said. “That drive shows up in everything she does.”

Professionally, Hailey has built an impressive career in advertising and marketing. She currently works at Riveter, after spending several successful years at Farm. Soon, she will be recognized with a major award honoring her outstanding achievements as a young woman in advertising.

“One of the things I admire most about Hailey is her dedication to her work,” Griffin said. “She’s incredibly smart, focused, and determined to keep climbing. Watching her succeed and get recognized for her talent makes me proud every single day.”

Outside of work, Hailey’s interests are as diverse as they are intentional. She loves traveling, shopping, cooking, baking and working out. She is known among friends as an exceptional hostess — someone who instinctively knows how to plan, organize, and make everyone feel welcome.

At home, she pours that same care into the life she and Griffin share, including their beloved 3-year-old cat, Butters.

“Hailey is the best cat mom in the world,” Griffin said. “Butters completes our little family, even though he can be very mean at times.”

Over the years, Griffin and Hailey have grown side by side — moving in together, building routines, and creating memories through shared adventures. One of Griffin’s favorite experiences was a trip to San Francisco and Sonoma, filled with cable car rides, wine tastings, a Giants game, sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge, and spontaneous nights that felt straight out of a movie.

“She’s always coming up with new ideas for adventures we can enjoy together,” Griffin said. “Life with her is never boring.”

For Griffin, love with Hailey is defined by that excitement, along with partnership, accountability and sacrifice — including her decision to move back to Buffalo after college so they could build a life together.

“She could have been chasing her big-city dreams somewhere else,” he said. “Instead, she chose us. That sacrifice means more to me than I can ever fully explain.”

As Valentine’s Day approaches, Griffin can only hope that Hailey knows just how deeply she is loved and how much he loves the “Us” that she fought for at the start.

“I love you endlessly, Hailinka,” he said. “Life with you is full of laughter, adventure and so much love. I can’t wait to keep building our future together.”