Matt and Katie first met one night in the summer of 2016 when Katie's friend and co-worker Jessie asked her to play in the office soccer league. Jessie was giving Matt a ride to the game too (Matt had a light blue gatorade and a taquito from 7 eleven - a bold pre-soccer game snack). Katie is the furthest thing from competitive but continued to play in office sports leagues like kickball in hopes of seeing Matt at happy hours and games.

Things progressed slowly because Katie and Matt were shy, but both were secretly into each other. Eventually happy hour conversations became lunches, and lunches became dinners. Fun fact: Matt never asked Katie to be his girlfriend, they just organically spent more and more time together until eventually almost all of their free time was spent together. With Matt living in DC and Katie in Arlington they grew tired of waking up halfway across the city at the other's apartment and needing to get to work. They decided to move in together in what would seem like a big step but felt like an easy decision.

In the spring of 2022 life was just too easy, so Katie and Matt decided to get a puppy. They were looking around at different breeders and shelters and found the perfect fluffy boy. But the timing was not ideal. Matt and Katie picked up Freddy the day before Matt had planned to propose to Katie. There was a lot going on! But Matt managed to peel Katie away to walk around the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms. Towards the end of the walk in a more secluded area Matt popped the question. Katie was completely surprised and said yes!

We are looking forward to sharing the next milestone in our story with you - getting married!