Haley has had her share of boyfriends throughout the sitcom Modern Family, but a few stick out more than others. Two, in particular, are Dylan and Andy. Dylan was Haley’s on-again-off-again high school boyfriend who later became her husband and the father to her twins. Meanwhile, Andy was her unexpected best friend who became her serious boyfriend.
Both men have redeeming qualities, but many viewers were sad to see the relationship with Andy end. Likewise, there’s something about Dylan, despite his dimwitted nature, that makes him a perfect match for Haley too.
In a lot of ways, Dylan and Andy were a lot alike but they each had a different kind of relationship with her because they were dating her at different stages in Haley’s life. Regardless if Modern Family fans are Team Dylan or Team Andy, Haley was lucky to have two upstanding men in her life that her family—over time—appreciated.
Andy Encouraged Haley To Do More With Her Life
When Haley and Andy became closer as friends, they started helping each other get their lives on track. Andy realized he wanted to be a real estate agent and Haley wanted to put her love of fashion to the test.
The two began training and preparing each other for their prospective interviews, which was something Haley really needed in a relationship. She never had a friend or boyfriend that pushed her to do more. There were many times where Andy called Haley smart and made her realized her self-worth. Because of this, he was the perfect mate for Haley.
Dylan Became The Man Haley Needed
Dylan was not Haley’s perfect match in seasons 1, 2, or even 7. But as the years passed and the two stayed in touch, Dylan grew into a fine young man. Sure, he was still goofy and a little dimwitted but he had a good head on his shoulders with dreams he was accomplishing.
By the final season, Dylan was a hardworking nurse and was able to support Haley and their twins. Their time apart helped each other grow for their futures together.
Andy Worshiped Haley
Andy seemed to nonchalantly worship Haley. While he was completely opposite to the traditionally handsome bad boy type she was often attracted to, there was something incredibly likable about him.
And while he didn’t initially admit it, it was clear he had feelings for her, too, and was willing to do anything for her. In fact, they were great friends before they officially became a couple. When Andy found out that he had a shot with Haley while he was engaged to Beth, he started acting differently and gained weight from heartbreak and confusion.
Dylan And Haley’s History Is Hard To Ignore
Often hanging out at the house or taking part in family events, Dylan was sort of always there, greeting Mr. and Mrs. Dunphy. He knew the family well, and got along with Haley’s father Phil, though her mother Claire never really liked him.
Haley’s parents thought Dylan was a bad influence on her and figured he was just part of a rebellious phase. But there’s no denying that he was always sweet, kind, and loving towards Haley, as well as polite to the family.
Andy And Haley Took Some Time As Friends Before Getting Intimate
Sometimes opposites attract. Since Andy was the complete opposite of the type of guys Haley would usually date, he actually made a great love interest for her. Haley even told him at one point that she liked the “me I am when I’m with you.”
Andy had a great effect on Haley, making her far less vain, self-absorbed, and aimless. While he was different from her, it’s clear that was a good thing, as they balanced each other out. And at the time in her life when Haley met Andy, she really needed some direction in her life.
Dylan And Haley Are Far More Alike
While opposites do attract, sometimes it’s good to be with someone Haley could relate to, and Haley and Dylan were a lot alike in a number of ways. They were both not the sharpest tools in the shed, and both sometimes naïve and clueless. It wasn’t uncommon for a joke to go right over their heads, or for them to take something literally when it shouldn’t be. It was a part of their character growth to transform from teens to adults.
They went to school together, liked the same things, and enjoyed doing the same activities which meant they could be themselves around one another.
Andy Was Wonderful With Haley’s Family
Haley first met Andy when he was employed by her grandfather as a nanny for her uncle Joe. Andy was amazing at his job, enthusiastically caring for and playing with Joe, and making friends with the entire family. Even when Jay and Manny didn’t initially like Andy, that changed when they saw how he was able to even calm down Gloria.
If Haley knew she wanted to eventually settle down and have children, Andy was clearly ready for fatherhood and would have made a great father to her children.
Dylan Is Lighthearted Like Haley’s Dad
Dylan was like Phil in many ways, even if she didn’t see it. He was a dreamer who was naïve and didn’t always get the joke. He wanted to pursue music and play his guitar while Phil was convinced he would be a famous magician and was always pulling magic tricks.
But like Phil, it was revealed that Dylan was smarter than he came across. In season 9, it was revealed that he was studying to become a nurse, deciding to heal people with drugs instead of his music, in his words.
…But Andy Is Phil’s Mini-Me
Even Jay initially noticed it, comparing Andy to Phil, calling him a “weird man.” Indeed, Andy was so much like Phil that Phil took a liking to him and ended up hiring him as his real estate assistant.
Both excitable and exhibiting an inflated sense of energy and positivity, Andy and Phil became very close, which meant that Andy would have been a shoo-in as a boyfriend since he was already liked by the dad. He was also more liked by Haley’s mother Claire than any other boy she had dated.
Dylan Is Smarter Than He Seems
Dylan initially comes across as dim and clueless, but he’s actually much smarter than he seems. Viewers later find out that Dylan was studying to become a nurse. This is no easy feat, which means Dylan had some serious brainpower hiding in his noggin. It’s interesting that Dylan’s drive didn’t encourage Haley the same way Andy’s did, which doesn’t make too much sense.
While he has had many failed jobs in the past, including playing guitar in a band, selling T-shirts, and working at an amusement park, he was finally starting to mature.
Andy Had Life Goals That Were Inspiring To Haley
While Dylan seemed aimless most of the time, Andy had clear life goals. He worked with Phil as a real estate assistant to get his feet wet in the industry, then crammed for the exam to get his license, which Haley helped him do.
In the end, he was offered his dream job as a real estate agent but that meant having to move back to Utah. He would have been crazy not to take it, so he did, which is why he and Haley broke up. But as sad as it was, it showed that he had real life goals.
Dylan Proved His Devotion To Haley After Years Of Growth
No matter when or how Haley managed to run into Dylan after they broke up for the umpteenth time, it’s clear he was always pining for her. He held a torch and was not willing to give up.
Even when Haley got accepted to college, Dylan took her to his prom and simply asked her not to forget him. And when Haley realized she was pregnant after they got together for yet another time, Dylan took on the responsibility of fatherhood with a smile, happy to become a parent. In the latest (and final) season of the series, he continues to be a doting father to their twins.
