Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard and his girlfriend, Molly Waldingyou have a love story nearly a decade in the making.
Leonard, 22, and Walding have been in each other's lives since they attended Fairhope Middle School in Fairhope, Alabama.
Since then, the couple has seen it all — from high school dances and birthday celebrations to long-distance love in college and Notre Dame running To the College Football Playoff.
For a full timeline of Leonard and Walding's relationship, keep reading.
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September 2016
Walding posted a photo Via Instagram The couple got together to celebrate Leonard's birthday while they were in middle school in Alabama.
Leonard put his hand on Walding's shoulder as she turned toward the camera, her mouth full of arches.
October 2017
The duo attended their first high school dance together as students at Fairthorpe High School in Fairthorpe, Alabama.
“What a nighttttt★,” Walding captioned three photos Via Instagram From the big evening.
June 2019
Leonard and Welding celebrated their year and a half of dating at Bluegill Restaurant in Spanish Fort, Alabama.
“A year and a half of nothing but smiles!!!!🥰,” Walding captioned the photo Via Instagram The husband smiles on the sidewalk outside the restaurant.
December 2019
The couple's second anniversary was also a cause for celebration. Walding posted a photo of the pair Via Instagram Standing in front of the Christmas tree.
“I've been dating my biggest crush for 2 years 💖💖💖,” she wrote.
Leonard commented on the photo, saying: “Dang Yu looks good.”
December 2020
Leonard and Walding's third anniversary came with a bit of trepidation.
“Happy 3!!!! “As if you thought we could make it 4 more 500 miles away 🤠,” Walding wrote alongside a photo of the duo Via Instagram.
The post came in anticipation of Leonard heading to play football at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina and walking her way to Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama.
April 2022
The duo, of course, found a way to make it work as evidenced by a photo of Walding from Duke's spring game before his second season at Duke.
“I'm a big fan of yours!!!!!!” “Walding wrote Via Instagram.
December 2023
Days after Leonard announced his transfer to Notre Dame, Walding said she was excited to celebrate the couple's sixth anniversary together.
“See you tomorrow!!!!!!!! Eeeek,” she wrote Via Instagram.
Leonard also shared an anniversary post on the same day. “Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. Happy 6 years,” he said Via Instagram.
November 2024
Walding traveled to South Bend, Indiana, to celebrate Notre Dame's big day and win over Virginia in the final home regular season game.
“Shout out to @riley.jleonard for giving us something to look forward to every weekend!!!!! Still rooting for #13 ☘️💚✨,” she shared Via Instagram Along with a group of photos from the field at Notre Dame Stadium.
January 2024
Walding was in New Orleans where Leonard helped lead Notre Dame over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, earning the school a berth in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
“What an adventure!” she wrote via her Instagram Story.
