Our story starts out a little untypical. Matthew and I met in the summer of 2020 at Camp Challenge when he was on staff and I was a first time volunteer. Due to some events that happened that week, I was convinced that Matthew couldn't stand me and avoided him the next time I was at camp for Fall Retreat. I didn't do the best job ever since he was co-counselors with my brother. Matthew also reintroduced himself to me at the end of the retreat.

Fast forward to the spring of 2021 and I had decided to join staff at Camp Challenge. I found out Matthew was on senior staff and I was so nervous to spend an entire summer working with him. I got to camp and all my worries disappeared. Turns out it was just a misunderstanding. I found out that Matthew didn't actually hate me and didn't remember me. (considering he introduced himself yet again) Matthew and I hung out quite a bit that summer and I quickly called him one of my closest friends.

Our friendship continued to grow after camp ended and we would regularly hang out and talk to each other on the phone. In the fall of 2022, I realized I liked Matthew. After numerous accusations of having feelings for him over our time of being friends, it had actually come true. I had no idea what I was going to do and decided to try and hide it for a bit. For months, I planned on confessing my feelings for him and could never work up the courage to do it. I danced around it and just made little comments in hope that he would just catch on. He finally did after 5 months of me trying.

In May of 2023, Matthew called me and did not ask me on a date, but told me we were going on a date because we needed to. I agreed and on May 15th, we went on our first date. That summer, I was working at Flat Rock River YMCA camp and I knew I would barely be able to see him. I was nervous what would happen since we had just started dating. My fears were gone after just a few weeks. Every night that I had either the night off or free time, we spent it together or on the phone. Even with the distance, I was falling for him more and more. A few months later, I realized that Matthew was the one that I wanted to spend my entire life with. Matthew and I started having conversations about "if" we get married and those quickly turned into "when" we get married.

In December 2023, we went to Lexington, Kentucky to take a small trip together and to also see Tyler Childers on New Year's Eve. The day before the concert, Matthew convinced me to go to downtown Lexington for dinner. I said yes even though I was confused as to why since we were going there the next day. Little did I know, Matthew was proposing that night and that's why we were heading downtown. I had no idea it was happening that night and was completely shocked.

It's crazy to see how we have gone from being strangers to best friends to now being engaged. I fall more and more in love every day and I absolutely can't wait to marry him.

Registry