In what would ultimately result in the storybook relationship, nobody would have predicted it based on the rocky journey towards what would finally be our first meeting.

For our own reasons, we evaded the opportunity to even meet for a long time. We were successful for two years until good timing and a prompt from the matchmaker inspired the first text.

“This is Matthew Stopher. Our lovely mutual friend Pam has strong opinions, and we love her for that. But I’m all for creating my own first impressions, as I am sure you are too.

Anyhow, I’m at a loss as you have heard me speak publicly, and all I’ve seen is pictures, and a glance or two – and well -… Geez, I’m at a Huge disadvantage.

With the need to tweak my schedule a bit to firm this up, I’d like to create the possibility of a time to meet next Tuesday afternoon and/or evening.

It seems that other than our own genders, race, geography, age, beauty, hair color, and ages of our children, we have a ton in common. 😉 LOL

Authenticity is completely perfect for me. What do you think?”

Matthew

The reply came the next morning.

“Good Morning Matthew.

She is amazing isn’t she?!

Next Tuesday works for me.

Look forward to it. Are you local in IE?”

Crystal

We officially titled our first encounter a “meeting.” The one-hour introduction stretched into a legitimate date. Three and a half hours later, we were both left feeling, “What the hell just happened?” We went our separate ways and the next day Matt drove the 18 hours to Oregon, excitedly texting back and forth.

Navigating competing schedules, a business to run, 1000 miles of separation, being parents, a little bout with cancer, and a long journey to health was no picnic, but they did it together. Building a relationship together during Covid proved challenging, but not problematic. Airplanes were virtually empty, and remote work was becoming the norm.

As the relationship developed, Crystal endeared herself to his family in so many ways. Right up until her passing, Matthew’s Mom enjoyed the pampering from Crystal as she would sit for hours, treating her to manicures and pedicures. Her kindness and love were apparent to everyone, and this gave justifiable reason for so many to comment how happy he looked.

Upon meeting her, his family had general comments like this one from Matt’s brother Mike…

“Thanks for making it happen and getting Crystal here for a visit. You get 3 thumbs-up from us. She is a class act. I only have one reservation Bro. You’re totally outta your league.”

Over the next few years, he introduced her to Dave Matthews live, camping on a volcano, firearms and his redneck friends. For her part, she introduced him to her culture, great friends, a weekend away with 3000 bikers in Rosarito “getting along for charity,” hiking for privacy, self-improvement and the best times of his life.

Living into possibility together, they conquered skydiving, scuba certification in a World War II shipwreck with a friendly sea turtle in Bali where they were engaged in April of 2023. And what about that engagement? Simply put, the most anticipated, perfectly-timed, orchestrated and photographed proposal, which almost got self-sabotaged when one photo, taken in the dead of night in Soeul nearly ruined the whole surprise. But that’s a story for another time. Sufficed to say, after a long day of exploration of the sheer beauty of Bali, he knelt and asked Her to marry him, and she said yes in the most beautiful way.

“I am so Happy,

I am so Happy.

I get to be Mrs. Stopher.

Really, REALLY?”

And after all the hours of preparation, he was flummoxed by her amazing acceptance that all he could say in response was, “That is if you go through with it!” The camera went off immediately after that happened, probably because the videographer knew to stop recording before he said something truly stupid. Like, something even dumber than before. It was a beautiful moment

Traveling and getting to meet and know people from anywhere they come from is also a shared passion. Vegas, Palm Springs, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bali have been the scene of so many created memories. And soon, they look forward to visiting Europe for the first time, and Asia again.

Their shared wanderlust will take them both to places they have dreamed about but never been, and they cannot wait to do these things together.

Moving into their first home together in November of 2022, the projects came fast and furious, and after the engagement, tasks to prepare their home for their wedding ceremony are consuming the year leading up to the wedding… But the transformation has been wonderful, and we look forward to ultimately relaxing and enjoying the space with friends and family.

Mi Casa es Su Casa

Photos