Our First date was 2 days later, he brought me flowers, was such a gentleman - yes, totally nervous, and we spent more time walking around the parking lot after dinner talking and getting to know each other that it didn't even feel like we had only met 2 days prior.

The next date was shortly after that. Again he showed up with flowers and by the time the 3rd date came around it was July 6th, and we made it Facebook official on 7/7.

The funny thing was that I don't think either one of us was actually looking for any sort of relationship. It just happened, and was so natural, that even with the wall that I built up around myself, Matt was patient, and kind, and everything fell into place without us having to force anything.

We have become each other's sound board when the other needs to vent. We push each other to do and be better when it comes to working on ourselves.

Matt came into my life at a time when I was focusing a lot on self-care and healing, and this man has been so patient, so kind, and so understanding. He has seen all my weird, quirky, and irrational thoughts, and has loved me through them all.

I think the most beautiful thing about our story is that we both came with broken pieces from our past, not expecting the other to fix them, or fill those gaps, but instead were able to look past our insecurities, through any cracks or flaws and see the best in each other and over time, start to heal the parts of us that we didn't think we could.

I did make him work for it, little Miss Independent over here had lots of UNLEARNING to do.

I had to get used to him bringing me flowers randomly, or on date nights. I would tell him it was a waste of money - and he would say it was never a waste if he was buying them for me.

I had (and still have to) get used to him complimenting me all the time. There are only so many times you can call someone beautiful in a day, and he meets and exceeds that quota every day.

I still roll my eyes when he power walks to get to my driver's side door before me just so he can open my door for me. I am still working on that one.

But I wouldn't change that for anything. I never was one of those people that FULLY believed "oh love happens when you least expect it" but our story is 100% proof that it does.

And we cannot wait to celebrate our next chapter with you in November of 2024!

Registry