Matthew and Kathleen's story began in Clemson on their very first day of college back in August of 2018, when mutual friends introduced them at party. That fall, their friendship grew as their paths crossed frequently around campus and tailgate parties. Matthew asked Kathleen out on a date for the first time at the Clemson-Carolina game in November. But after several pleasant dates, Kathleen decided she was not ready to be in a relationship, and she firmly put Matthew in "the friend zone" before the end of the year.

That spring, the pair continued to spend time together with their friend group, though Kathleen was convinced she and Matthew would not end up together. Soon the two began attending mass together at St. Andrew every weekend. Kathleen liked that Matthew picked her up from her dorm in his red Tahoe, because that meant she got to ride in a heated seat to church instead of walking! Attending church each weekend as well as gathering together with friends often brought the pair closer together as the year came to a close. Everyone around couldn't believe the two still were not together! At the constant encouragement of their friends, they decided to go to the FCA swing dance together in April, where they danced the night away despite Kathleen having a fever of 102 degrees... That night, Kathleen knew she had finally fallen for Matthew, but she was unsure how to tell him and felt terrible about pushing him away for so long. A couple days later, Kathleen left for a six-week trip to Europe, so she decided not to tell Matthew how she really felt.

The night before she flew out, Kathleen visited Matthew at his childhood home with a milkshake and well wishes as he recovered from his wisdom teeth surgery. They talked for hours, and they both knew their friendship was blossoming into something more. While Kathleen was away, she and Matthew talked on the phone everyday, possibly even more frequently than she spoke to her family (which is saying a lot). Kathleen agreed over FaceTime to go on another date with Matthew as soon as she got home. On June 17, 2019, the two had burrito bowls at the Langley's lake house on a sunset cruise on the boat. The rest is history!

Matthew and Kathleen have been through many milestones together, including Kathleen's six-month study abroad in France and Matthew's move to Murrells Inlet for his first job out of Clemson at International Paper in Georgetown. Their wedding day will mark the end of 998 days in a long distance relationship!! Distance really does make the heart grow fonder! The future Langley's are thrilled to start their life together in Murrells Inlet following their very special day :-) .