In the summer of 2020, Matt saw Alisha with fresh eyes and felt a spark. He asked JJ for his blessing to date Alisha—unaware that he was asking for the chance to meet his future wife. They gave the relationship a go, but after a few months, they decided to step back and focus on personal growth.

Then, in April 2021, everything changed during a group trip to Moab, Utah. Surrounded by 11 friends and expecting nothing more than a fun adventure, they found themselves reconnecting on the very first night. It was as if no time had passed, and from then on, they were ready to face the world—together.

In the three years that followed, they discovered a love that thrived on adventures, concerts, and a shared passion for The Office. Their mutual love for the show became a foundation for cozy nights spent laughing together over the same classic jokes. Their adventures took them from Mexico to Hawaii, Nevada, Tennessee, and their all-time favorite, Oregon. A standout moment was in the summer of 2023, when they joined the Nichols Family on their annual Coos Bay trip—a tradition that quickly became a beloved part of their story. What Alisha didn't know was just how much the 2024 trip would come to mean.