This couple predicted Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship 5 years ago

NEW YORK - Mrs Makayla Stephens and her husband, Nick, are not costume people. So when her in-laws were hosting a Halloween party in 2020, the newly married couple did not want to dress up.

But they obliged, digging into their closets to find what they could. It was last-minute, and they did not have time to buy costumes.

Mrs Stephens pulled out a pink long-sleeve shirt and white pants. She drew a pink heart around her eye. Mr Stephens pulled out his only jersey – No. 87 for the Kansas City Chiefs, belonging to tight end Travis Kelce – and put on eye black.

Mrs Stephens posted a photograph on Instagram, with the caption “I don’t know any world in which (American singer) Taylor Swift + Travis Kelce would be in the same room together, but apparently in this one they’re married?”

That Halloween went largely forgotten until three years later, when Swift and Kelce were, in fact, in the same room – because they were dating.

Mrs Stephens’ post was shared by a Swift fan account on Twitter, which sent thousands flocking to her Instagram page. Some tagged Swift and Kelce in comments. Others joked that Mrs Stephens was a time traveller or that she had manifested the relationship. Many comments referred to Swift’s song Invisible String (2020).

Lipton Iced Tea flew the Stephenses out to a Chiefs game in New York City where, yes, both Swift and Kelce were in attendance, Mrs Stephens said.

On Aug 26, thousands of people rushed back to Stephens’ Instagram comments when Kelce and Swift, both 35, sent group texts, the internet and much of the world into a frenzy by

announcing their engagement with a simple Instagram post.

In the photographs, the pair, often referred to as Tayvis, are surrounded by a floral garden. Kelce is on one knee. Swift has her hands around his face.

Mrs Stephens, a fifth grade teacher in Oklahoma who has attended several Swift concerts, returned to her classroom on Aug 26 after dropping her students off at lunch.

“I had, like, two missed calls and several texts,” she said, adding: “My friend who called me does not call me. So I was like, ‘Somebody has died.’”

She had around 18 texts from people sending her Swift’s Instagram post. Her husband texted her: “It literally happened.”

Her Instagram started to fill up with comments jokingly accusing her of witchcraft. Others asked if she was a psychic or if she could tell them what lottery ticket to buy.

“I hope your pillow is always cold and your food always tastes divine,” one user commented.

Many comments mentioned that the pair should be invited to the wedding. Mrs Stephens said she would RSVP yes.

“I just got my Real ID, so they can do a background check, like, whatever you guys need,” she said. “I’m good to attend wherever it is. I’ll sign any NDAs (non-disclosure agreements). I’ll do whatever, just let me know.”

Mrs Stephens, like many others, shared Swift’s post to her Instagram story.

“The prophecy is complete,” she wrote, nodding to the singer’s song The Prophecy (2024), about finding someone to love. “I can finally rest.” NYTIMES

Hannah Ziegler contributed reporting.