Inside the Love Story of Taylor Haag and Daniel Hastings: A Journey from Pods to Forever

Taylor Haag and Daniel Hastings have shown us that love truly is blind, proving that Netflix's reality TV experiment can lead to genuine connections. Their love story began in the spring of 2024 when the pods arrived in Minneapolis, and the show aired a year later. After forming an effortless bond in the pods, the couple walked down the aisle and exchanged vows in the season finale, continuing to bask in their love.

“To say that it’s been a wild ride would be quite the understatement,” Daniel expressed to Taylor during his wedding vows. “It’s crazy to think that just five weeks ago to the day, I was getting on a knee after our first date. I fell in love with you because of the way you process things, the way you think, and how we instantly became best friends. I can see you being a part of my life as the mother of my children and as my wife for the rest of my life. Like, this is it. I can see it.”

He continued, “When we were dating in the pods, you can’t see it; you can just imagine it. And then I see you, and that’s what I see. That’s who you are, and that’s what I love about you. I can just see a future with you. I see our life together, and I’m so excited.”

Let’s take a closer look at Taylor and Daniel’s complete relationship timeline:

Taylor and Daniel were among each other’s very first dates in the pods, where she humorously asked him to get down on one knee. After he stood back up, the two bonded over their shared values and love for the Christmas holiday.

Despite their instant connection, Taylor faced a significant challenge during filming when she fell ill. “I almost went home—I lost my voice for three days straight, and I was so frustrated,” she shared with Entertainment Weekly in February 2025. “My voice is all I have here, and I’m fighting to get words out. I wasn’t really interacting with the girls in the lounge because I was trying to rest to get my voice back as fast as possible, so I felt like I was missing out on those interactions.”

She added, “I had started putting things in my bag. I was like, ‘If I don’t have a voice tomorrow, I am going to go home,’ and it came back.”

With her voice restored, Taylor was able to continue her journey with Daniel, who ultimately proposed at the end of the 10-day pod experiment. “Honestly, I’ve enjoyed being your boyfriend for the last two days—but I’m kind of ready for you to be my fiancée,” he said. “So, I’m not going to spend any more time; I’m just gonna get on my knee. I’m on my knee again, full circle. My sweet Taylor, will you marry me?”

It was only after Taylor accepted his proposal that the couple met in person. However, after their reveal, Taylor felt something was off and claimed that Daniel might have known what she looked like before joining the experiment, speculating that he had followed her on Instagram prior to filming. Daniel vehemently denied these accusations.

“It’s funny because that was one of those moments—we always tend to agree, but then when we do disagree, we agree to disagree. And I was like, ‘I understand what she’s saying.’ And [my husband Nick’s] like, ‘I don’t think it’s that big of a deal,’” cohost Vanessa Lachey exclusively told Us Weekly about the couple’s first argument. “That’s the beauty of the show is that water cooler talk.”

She added, “If somebody is following you and does know a lot about you, is that fair? And it didn’t give you an opportunity to truly get to know them for who they are because that is personal. That is why it’s Instagram, and it’s posted. She had this little voice in the back of her head, and I’m really proud of her for speaking up on it.”

Ultimately, Taylor was able to overcome her doubts, and the couple continued their engagement throughout the cast trip to Honduras, leading up to their wedding day. They were the only couple from season 8 to tie the knot in the season finale.

“I fell in love with your words [on our first date] and every day going forward,” Taylor said in her vows. “We have chosen each other since that first date, and I promise to continue choosing you for the rest of our lives. You have given me a love I wasn’t sure existed but had always prayed for.”

During the season 8 reunion, Taylor expressed that “the last year’s been really great” for the newlyweds. “Daniel is my very best friend; we are laughing the whole time, which I think was shown quite a bit,” Taylor said during the tell-all. “We just have so much fun together, and I’m authentically myself, and he accepts that I’m super goofy. He takes it at face value and laughs with me, which is priceless.”

Daniel, on the other hand, made their love a bit more permanent by getting a rendering of Taylor’s eyes inked on his chest. “I know that she has the most tender heart; she’s the kindest person,” Daniel shared at the time. “I really enjoy being able to experience that every day with how she treats other people, and obviously, how she treats me. Seeing her interact with friends and family and people that we run into and just how kind she is to them and knowing that’s what I experienced with her in the pods—it holds true in real life, as well.”

Daniel referred to Taylor as his “best friend” in a sweet birthday tribute. “Today and always, we celebrate you, my sweet Taylor—because the world is brighter, kinder, and better with you in it. I love you! ❤️,” he wrote via Instagram on March 13.

In a show of commitment, Taylor changed her social media handle to take Daniel’s last name, marking another step in their journey together.