Haley Dunphy and Dylan Marshall were an item in season 1 of Modern Family. He was the bad boy senior and Haley couldn't get enough of him (much to Claire's chagrin). Over the years, the couple broke up and made up as life tossed them curveballs. They dated other people, Haley went to college, and they grew apart. But these two always managed to find a way back to each other.
By the final season, Dylan and Haley didn't just get married; they became the parents of twins, Poppy and George. However, not too many fans were thrilled with Haley's ending and didn't think a partnership with Dylan and a pregnancy was the right move for her character.
Updated on July 6th, 2021, by Lynn Gibbs: Haley Dunphy's character arc was one of the most developed in the series. From a vapid party girl, Haley transformed into a driven young woman with her eye on the prize. Part of the prize was a happy ending, but with whom? Fans couldn't help but wonder: who does Haley end up with? That special someone ended up being Dylan Marshall. The two eventually had a happy ending but it wasn't easy. Despite some backlash from fans who didn't agree with Haley's ending, Haley and Dylan appeared happy, but why did Haley end up with Dylan? Why didn't Haley end up with Andy? At times there were more red flags in her relationship with Dylan than pros, but nothing could stand in the way of their love.
How Were They Able To Afford Mitch & Cam's Apartment?
In the final season of Modern Family, Haley, Dylan, and their babies were still living in Phil and Claire's basement. With all the kids at home and Phil and Claire at their breaking point, Dylan and Haley decided it was time to move out. But where?
At this point, the family didn't know that Mitch and Cam were planning on moving to Missouri to start a new life, Haley and Dylan moved into their old home. The question is, how did they afford it? It's not known if Dylan and Haley rented the downstairs apartment or if they bought it, but that doesn't change the fact that Los Angeles real estate is expensive and the new parents had very little money.
Would Haley Choose Andy If He Stayed Behind?
Fans were devastated when Haley and Andy broke up in season 7. The two inspired each other and encouraged each other to do better. It was the most mature and honest relationship Haley ever had.
Even when Haley and Andy were dating Dylan and Beth, respectively, at the time, Haley still longed for Andy. She only went to Dylan because she was lonely. If Andy never left California, he and Hailey would have ended up together. Dylan has always been a fallback plan.
Teenaged Adults
Whenever Haley and Dylan were together, they both mentally checked out. They didn't have many goals as individuals or a couple and they focused on the bubble they were in. Dylan and Haley were two characters with very similar personality types as they were comfortable with each other and didn't need to try.
When they're together as adults, they go back to that teenage mindset because that's what they know. The problem with this immature mindset is that Haley and Dylan are no longer teenagers. They're adults with children and responsibilities who can't live in a dream-like state forever.
Will They Continue To Break Up & Make Up?
It's impossible to count how many times Haley and Dylan broke up and made up. Some days they would break up and make up within hours. Dylan has always wanted to end up with Haley but it's Haley who grew bored of the relationship or outgrew it.
One can't help but wonder if the same thing will happen now that they're back together and are parents, nonetheless. Knowing their history, it's easy to see the two resenting each other, growing bored of each other, or getting stuck in a routine with no passion.
Did Her Pregnancy Force A Commitment?
Haley had a plethora of love interests on Modern Family and chose Dylan over Arvin and Andy, proving how much she loved him. But is Haley in love with Dylan? It could be argued that she chose him because he's familiar. She didn't need to try to be someone she wasn't and was free to be herself.
But was Haley thinking about marriage and babies when she and Dylan got back together? Haley was distraught when she found out she was pregnant. It was because she was pregnant that she decided to propose to Dylan. Most fans wonder if a wedding would have happened if the babies weren't involved.
They Hold Each Other Back
When fans think about all of the ways that Haley and Dylan grew individually, it was when they were apart. None of their glow-ups happened as a couple and this is because the two hold each other back.
Haley went to school, started a successful fashion blog due to her stylish outfits, and got a great job while she wasn't with Dylan. Likewise, Dylan started a t-shirt business and went to nursing school without Haley. Sure, some may say that the timing was right for these two and that they were finally mature enough to be together. But in reality, they do better as independent individuals.
Did Haley Even Love Dylan Or Did She Love The Idea?
It's hard to tell if Haley really loved Dylan or if she just loved the idea of him. As a teenager, Dylan was her high school sweetheart and her first everything. He holds a special place in her heart that is hard for her to ignore.
But when Haley dated Andy, she told him (while he was boarding his flight to Utah) that he was the first man she ever really loved. Does this mean she simply tolerated Dylan while they were together?
Like Mother, Like Daughter
It's easy to point out the obvious trope in Modern Family between Haley and Claire. From the beginning, Claire wanted Haley to be self-sufficient and independent. She wanted Haley to be with a respectable and honorable man that would make a great son-in-law. She did not want her to be with Dylan and she absolutely played a low-key villainous role.
Funny enough, the Haley and Dylan relationship is very similar to the Phil and Claire storyline. In this case, Claire is acting just like her father did when she was dating Phil. So, the question has to be asked: did Haley end up with Dylan to spite her mom, just as Claire ended up with Phil to spite her dad?
They're Both Flakey
Both Haley and Dylan appear to have commitment issues. Haley got kicked out of school, she started and ended a fashion blog, she wanted to be a makeup artist for the weather channel, she tried out to be an NBA dancer... and Dylan was the same. He moved to Montana to be a ranch handler, he started a t-shirt line, he got married (and divorced)...
They were also flakey with each other. In what was one of the saddest scenes in Modern Family season 7, Haley broke up with Dylan after she saw Andy at the movies because she wanted what Andy had. She knew she didn't have that with Dylan and he told her he was tired of being yanked around.
Dylan Will Never Be Accepted By The Dunphys
It's sad to say but Dylan will never be accepted by Haley's family. The only reason Phil adores Dylan is that he sees himself in him. He knows how hard it can be to fit into the Pritchett clan and is a big source of hope for Dylan.
But aside from Phil, there's no way Claire, Jay, and co. will treat Dylan with the respect he deserves. With a big, tight-knit family like Haley's, Dylan will continuously try and fail. This will inevitably take a toll on his and Haley's relationship.