Matthew and I met on a chilly but sunny day in late January on a blind date. Matthew’s warm smile melted my heart that cold day as soon as I saw him for the first time. My first impression of Matthew was that he was so sincere, sweet, and genuine. I was excited to potentially see him again.

Matthew waited three days until he texted me after that first blind date. THREE. It was agony. Over the next couple weeks, it was difficult for us to find time to go on another date with our busy college schedules (especially mine!). I really wanted to go on another date with him, and I was afraid he thought I was trying to passively turn him down – which was not the case! Luckily, Matthew was very patient and did not give up on me. We finally went on that second date and, of course, many more after that!

Matthew is the epitome of a gentleman. He is fun-loving, humble, ambitious, considerate, and full of love for God. He has helped me to deepen my faith and constantly leads me toward Heaven. I feel so honored to marry this man!

Our story goes back far before we ever met. Our story started long ago at an audition for Mary Poppins in the summer of 2015. That day, Emily met her future sister-in-law, Mary (Russ) Fulkerson without even knowing it. Years later, Mary had fallen head over heels for a tall, tan, and handsome man named Thomas Fulkerson. Their love had grown to the point of Matrimony. During this time, their wedding was in great need of a cantor, but not any cantor, the voice of an angel. This angel's name was Emily Chamness.

During an early January evening, my heartstrings had been feeling an extra pull that day. I had reached out to Mary to ask if she had anyone in mind who would be interested in a wedding date....and possibly something more. To my great surprise, Mary had the most wonderful reference that could ever be referenced.

After our first encounter, I had become awestruck witnessing the most concentrated form of beauty possibly conceivable with the human oculus. Knowing that this opportunity was none to waste, yet profoundly complex, I had devised a plan. Once the third day had passed since our first date, a message would be sent to peak Emily’s interest. Three days was the speculative balance between my personal desperation and the time it takes to plant inquisitive thoughts within Emily’s mind. (P.S. It totally worked.)

On May 22nd, 2021, Tom and Mary joined in Holy Matrimony and started their great marriage. That day was also part of our great dating endeavor. I had courted Emily on many memory-filled dates, always attempting to win over her heart. This was no easy task, but proved to be the most important thing I would ever do.

As our courtship approached the end of its second year, it was time to elevate the relationship to something much higher. On the night of Emily's birthday, I went down on one knee to perform one of the most important moments of my life.

To be continued...