Their story began back in 2015. Matthew had just started working at Rachel's Waterside Grill as a Chef and Ashley had already been an employee at Rachel's for 5 years and was working as a Manager at the time. Ashley caught Matthew's eye and Matthew shared this with their co worker, Dave. Dave was one of Ashley's best friends so, he decided to play match maker and told her how Matthew felt about her. Soon after, Ashley agreed to go out for a super casual meet up with Matt at EGP in Oceanside. Little did they know, EGP would become their spot for years to come. After many of these casual meet ups, Matt and Ashley's romance began to bud. It wasn't until June 14th, 2016 that Matt took Ashley on their first official date. To the Intrepid Museum they went (a place Ashley had told Matt she wanted to visit numerous times)! It was there that they realized their growing love for one another. Over the next few years, they went on many trips together, shared laughs, cried together, and created memories that will last a lifetime. Fast forward to the day that Matthew decided to take the next step. On March 17th, 2023 at a restaurant called Eventide in Portland Maine, Matt worked with the restaurant staff to have an engagement ring placed in an oyster shell among a dozen other oysters placed in front of Ashley. After a few (way too many) seconds passed, Ashley noticed the ring and what was about to happen. Matt finally asked her to spend the rest of their lives together and marry him! This was a special moment because Matthew had brought it (in his exact words(( "full circle")) back to the place they had went to on their very first trip together, Maine. What a hopeless romantic!

Now, they are excited to have all of you join them on their journey to "I Do"!