It all began with a Dad Joke prompt and a witty remark. Allison and Matthew were connected in a true 21st century way, which was virtually through a dating app called Hinge. After a few conversations and the exchange of phone numbers their first date was planned….. Meeting for coffee and a competition of whose dad jokes would be better. It was really just a great way to break the ice and it went so well they extended the date over lunch! Oh and by the way, Allison still has the list in her Notes app titled, “Top Secret Dad Jokes to School Matt In.”

As their relationship steadily strengthened their love for one another grew 10 times more. It was an easy choice for Allison to pack up everything from her tiny one-bedroom apartment and move in with Matthew a few short months later when he asked. Allison quickly acclimated to not only sharing a place with Matthew, but his two dogs as well. Soon after, Matthew was already mentioning marriage and his excitement to propose. Although Allison knew that a proposal was on the horizon, she did not know how he was going to manage to surprise her… or so she thought!

Matthew and Allison were brainstorming how they were going to spend their first Valentine’s Day. As they were throwing out ideas they both decided that if the weather permitted that they would have a picnic in the park and take the dogs along. Valentine’s Day morning was overcast and rainy, but nevertheless by the time Matthew and Allison set on for their picnic the clouds lifted and the sun shined with no rain in sight. It was there that Matthew proposed, and totally surprised Allison. I believe her exact words were, “Shut up, No way, You’re joking!” Before she happily said Yes! Her true shock came from her recalling a conversation of times to NOT propose, and one of her requests was No Cheesy Holidays. Matthew had completely surprised her in best way and Allison does not regret that he chose the cheesiest holiday of them all because now it is her most cherished and favorite holiday!