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Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard and his love, Molly Waldingyou have a love story almost a decade in the making.
Leonard, 22, and Walding have been in each other’s lives since they both attended Fairhope Middle School in Fairhope, Alabama.
Since then, the couple has experienced it all – from high school dances and birthday parties to long distance love in college and Notre Dame run 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 of the pair together to celebrate Leonard’s birthday while they were both in middle school in Alabama.
Leonard had his hand on Walding’s shoulder as she beamed for the camera, still wearing a mouthful of braces.
October 2017
The pair attended their first high school dance together as students at Fairthorpe High School in Fairthorpe, Alabama.
“am nighttttt★ ,” Walding captioned a trio of photos via Instagram of the big night.
June 2019
Leonard and Walding celebrated their anniversary a year and a half later at the Bluegill Restaurant in Spanish Fort, Alabama.
“a year and a 1/2 of nothing but smiles!!!!🥰,” Walding captioned a photo via Instagram of the pair smiling on a dock outside the restaurant.
December 2019
The couple’s two-year anniversary was also cause for celebration. Walding posted a photo of the pair via Instagram standing in front of a Christmas tree.
“Been dating my biggest crush for 2 years now 💖💖💖,” she wrote.
Leonard commented on the photo, writing, “Dang u look good.”
December 2020
Leonard and Walding’s third birthday came with a little trepidation.
“Happy 3!!!! Like if you think we can make it 4 more being 500 miles apart🤠,” Walding wrote alongside a photo of the duo via Instagram.
The job came in anticipation of Leonard going to play football at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina and Walking on his way to Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama.
April 2022
The duo, of course, found a way to make it work as evidenced by Walding’s photo 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 he was transferring 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 a birthday post on the same day. “Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every time. 6 happy years,” he said via Instagram.
November 2024
Walding traveled to South Bend, Indiana to celebrate Notre Dame’s Senior Day and a win over Virginia in the team’s home regular season finale.
“Shout out to @riley.jleonard for giving us something to look forward to every weekend!!!! Still rooting for #13 ☘️💚✨,” she shared via Instagram alongside a carousel of photos from the field at Notre Dame Stadium.
January 2024
Walding was on hand in New Orleans as Leonard helped lead Notre Dame over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, earning the school a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
“What an adventure it’s been!” he wrote through his Instagram Story.
