An Oklahoma couple’s Halloween costumes turned into an eerie prediction when they dressed as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce years before the stars began dating. Now, with the celebrity couple’s engagement making headlines, Makayla and Nick Stephens are sharing their shock and joy, marveling at how their playful choice became reality.
A Halloween Coincidence Goes Viral
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Makayla Stephens, a lifelong Swiftie, and her husband, Nick, a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan, needed last-minute costumes for a family Halloween party. With no costume stores open due to the pandemic, they raided their closets. Makayla chose a pink heart around her eye, channeling Taylor Swift’s Lover era. Nick grabbed his Travis Kelce jersey. They snapped a photo, captioned it with a cheeky remark about the pair being “married” in some imaginary world, and thought nothing of it.
That 2020 Instagram post exploded when Swift and Kelce started dating years later. The caption read, “I don’t know any world in which Taylor Swift + Travis Kelce would be in the same room together, but apparently in this one they’re married? #HappyHalloween.” Fans flooded the comments, calling it a “manifestation” of the real-life romance. Makayla told reporters she was stunned, saying the costumes were a total fluke, thrown together to avoid being the only ones at the party without outfits.
From Costumes to Real-Life Romance
Fast forward to when rumors swirled that Swift and Kelce were an item. Makayla and Nick, now parents of two, laughed as their old post resurfaced. Nick, a regular listener of Kelce’s New Heights podcast, heard Travis mention trying to give Swift a friendship bracelet at her Eras Tour. When Swift showed up at a Chiefs game, Nick turned to Makayla and said, “Babe, she’s there for him.” The couple’s accidental prophecy was coming true, and their photo went viral again.
Makayla, a fifth-grade teacher, was at work when she got a flurry of texts from Nick about the engagement announcement. She was on lunch break, heating her meal, when she saw his message with “BABE” in all caps and a link to Swift and Kelce’s Instagram post. The couple shared stunning photos of Kelce proposing in a garden, Swift’s sparkling ring stealing the show. Makayla said she felt a strange excitement for two people she’d never met, amazed at the coincidence.
Dressing Up Again with a Twist
The Stephens didn’t stop at their 2020 costumes. Inspired by the real-life romance, they dressed as Swift and Kelce again the following Halloween, this time with more thought. Makayla recreated an outfit Swift wore to a Chiefs game, while Nick ordered Kelce’s 2024 AFC Championship hat and shirt. Their daughters joined in—one as a cat, a nod to Swift’s love for felines, and the other as a tiny football, born just weeks before.
Makayla posted the new costumes on Instagram, joking that in this world, Swift and Kelce were “married with two sweet babies.” She told reporters she loves how happy the celebrity couple seems, noting their chemistry shines through in public appearances. The Stephens’ story has charmed fans, with some jokingly asking for their lottery number predictions or calling them time travelers.
A Personal Connection to the Love Story
For Makayla and Nick, the Swift-Kelce romance hits close to home. Married since their high school days, they see parallels in their own love story. Makayla even got a tattoo for their fifth anniversary, inspired by Swift’s song So High School, which she feels captures both their relationship and the joy of her viral post. Nick, once indifferent to Swift, is now a proud Swiftie, thanks to his wife. They’ve bonded over Chiefs games and Swift’s music, making their costume choice feel like fate.
The couple hasn’t heard directly from Swift or Kelce, but Makayla believes fan accounts have shared their story enough for Swift to have seen it. She’s thrilled at the thought, saying that’s enough for her. As for future Halloweens, they’re considering recreating the engagement photos but worry it might tip into “creepy-ville.” For now, they’re just enjoying the wild ride of their accidental prediction.
A Feel-Good Moment for Fans
The Swift-Kelce engagement has sparked joy across fanbases, and the Stephens’ story adds a heartwarming layer. Their tale of a random costume choice turning prophetic has captured hearts, showing how life can surprise us. The couple hopes Swift and Kelce go the distance, maybe even inviting them to a future wedding—though Makayla laughs it’s a long shot. Their story reminds us that sometimes, a bit of fun can lead to something unexpectedly meaningful, connecting strangers through shared fandom and a touch of magic.
