It all started one fateful night at a bachata dance class in 2020. Matteo, always confident in his moves (at least according to him), caught Kelsey's eye—or rather, his charm and dance skills did! So impressed was Kelsey, she bravely asked for his contact info after class (though Matteo insists it was his irresistible rhythm).

They hit it off immediately, chatting nonstop until their first date a few days later—an advanced salsa class that neither was quite ready for. Much to the instructor's horror, Kelsey and Matteo giggled through their spectacular dance disasters and quickly retreated to a nearby bar, chatting and laughing into the wee hours.

The very next day, Matteo brought out the big guns: the Torres Ranch. Horses galloped straight into Kelsey's heart as she met, rode, and even persuaded one to sit!

From then on, Matteo and Kelsey were inseparable. They joined a salsa dance group, practicing and laughing their way into each other's hearts. By 2021, Kelsey moved into Matteo's Nonnas old house, which Matteo had ambitiously purchased and begun renovating. Together, through sweat, laughter, and probably too many YouTube tutorials, they made the house their home.

Sharing their love for dancing, adventure, and travel, Kelsey and Matteo became each other's ultimate partners-in-crime, exploring life hand-in-hand.

Then came 2023—the year Matteo planned an elaborate proposal involving his roommate Aaron, his brother Adriano, and the adventure of a lifetime. Matteo's grand scheme was a scenic West Coast road trip from Victoria, BC, to San Diego, California, proposing at the breathtaking cliffs of Big Sur. To make it even more special (and a bit risky), Matteo acquired a 1982 Volkswagen Westfalia camper van. The months leading up to the trip were spent lovingly outfitting the van and daydreaming of romantic coastal drives.

But romance quickly turned comedic as their vintage dream turned into a mechanical nightmare. Every day of their journey brought scenic vistas—and visits to mechanic shops. From charming Oregon towns to the friendly (and sympathetic) people of California, they experienced an unexpected but heartwarming American hospitality while stranded roadside more times than they'd like to admit.

Disaster peaked just outside Santa Cruz, mere hours after Adriano (and the ring!) had joined them from San Francisco. After days of desperate attempts at revival, camping out in Santa Cruz, and Matteo's growing panic, they were forced to abandon the beloved yet cursed van and rented a reliable car to finish the journey.

Finally, the big day arrived. At dawn in beautiful Big Sur, Adriano distracted Kelsey with imaginative sightings of whales in the distance while Matteo nervously fumbled for the ring behind a questionably fenced-off photo spot overlooking McWay Falls. With Adriano playing both distraction artist and photographer extraordinaire, Matteo finally asked—and, of course, Kelsey said YES!

Matteo and Kelsey’s story is built on adventures, laughter, and a whole lot of love. Friends and family mean everything to them, and they cannot wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you!