The year is 2007 and sophomore year of high school has just begun. Two strangers make their way to G51, Mr. Grunfest's history class, where Matthew sat right behind Jessica. The rest for them, was indeed, history.

Matthew and Jessica soon became good friends; accompanied each other in the hallways, sat with each other at lunch, celebrated birthdays together (they're only 3 days apart), and stayed in the same friend group. It didn't take long before the friendship started to bloom into something more. Fast forward to junior year and they were frequently driving around in Big Red and spending time at the Coviello's.

Then senior year arrived. It was time for the big events and making decisions as to whom to share and spend them with. First up was the Spirit Squad. To no one’s surprise, Jess chose Matthew during the football season. She decorated his locker, made him a goodie bag filled with Nature Valley Bars, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gatorade, and (of course Matthew's favorite) Reese's. Jess had the honor of supporting Matt via more than a decorated locker - you could find her wearing his last name on her sweatshirt for all the games. And still to this day!

Funny enough, these two were coy with one another. Always playing hard to get, never loud and open about how they felt - which, if you know her, is off brand for Jess…

When it was time for prom, Matt and Jess started out a little unconventional. Instead of asking each other, they decided in September to be each other's backups and agreed that if neither one of them had a date by February, they would go with each other. Call it fate, call it luck, call it the stars aligning, but come February they found themselves without dates. So, Matthew slipped a note in Jess' locker in C-Hall and asked her to meet him by her car at the end of the day. When she got there, she found him waiting with a rose behind his back and a question: Will you be my date for prom?

Like all great love stories, they spent a few chapters apart while in college. While Matthew came to visit Jess, they didn’t pursue anything further. However, as Jess told her Mom at her Nana's table, "Matthew will be the man that I marry.”

As college graduation came and went, the two reconnected and their relationship became stronger. They’d each seen other relationships through and, finally in 2016, they gave each other the real chance they’d been holding out for since 2009. On the Fourth of July, Matthew spent the night with the Coviellos watching the fireworks from Papa's house, as is family tradition. As the two returned to his apartment, he threw his face in his arms and sighed, "Will you just be my girlfriend already?" Obviously, Jess’ answer was an instantaneous “YES!”

Every chapter since has had them both in it, together. They’ve loved and supported each other through many life events - the joyful and the tough. As the years passed, their magic continued to get stronger and their love followed suit. With each passing year, Jess started envisioning what their wedding would be like. Okay, fine. Jess had been thinking about it since 2019. Can you blame her?! Little to her surprise, her patience would be tested. Matthew moves at, let’s say, a different pace. But one thing is for certain: these two were going to be together forever.

In 2022, Matthew and Jess had conversations about the future. Jess was honest about how the timeline was making her weary. But to her actual surprise this time, Matthew was already hard at work creating her dream ring. Literally. As the year was coming to a close, they packed for a breathtaking vacation to Germany with the Browns. This one was bound to be special - and precious cargo was included..

They kicked the trip off with Oktoberfest, and each day only got better. This was already the best trip they’d ever been on and they were enjoying their time making new memories together. The next morning proved to be a little rough for Jess, but she powered through for the group’s trip to the Nymphenburg palace. As we all know, Jess is a Disney princess at heart and she wasn’t about to spend the day locked away in her room. She was getting to that castle.

After a tour of one of the most spectacular places in this world, the family made their way into the gardens. Regal statues, rose bushes, and a lake with a gondola rider greeted them. As they ventured towards the water, Matthew asked for a picture. Now as we also all know, this isn’t a typical request from Matthew. Jess wasn’t going to miss out on this opportunity; so without hesitation (or any idea what would happen next), she said ‘yes’ to the picture. Next thing she knew, Matthew was down on one knee, she was running towards the water and quickly bunny hopping back to relish in the happiest moment on the most memorable day of her life. And it was all orchestrated by the man of her dreams. Instant sobs. It was everything she dreamed for and more - a magical day at a palace planned by her real life Prince Charming that ended with her dream ring affixed to her finger. To say Matthew nailed it is…an understatement.

And now we’re planning our dream wedding! We can’t wait to welcome you at The Park Chateau on April 27, 2024 to celebrate our love that was written in the stars and destined to be since high school.

Our fairy tale has only just begun. A tale as old as time, true as it can be.