Even though Matthew and Mandy went to high school together; were both voted as "Most School Spirited" of their senior class, featured in the front pages of the Whitmer 2002 yearbook where Mandy is seen on top of Matthew's back (check out the first photo on our photos page) and even went to the same house parties their love story didn't start there. Heck these two didn't speak to one another in that time of their lives... god just had other plans.

It took 15 more years for Matthew & Mandy to both be single and for Matthew to make some mushy post on Facebook, Mandy to notice the post he made and decide to send a comment. Matt noticed her response, messaged her on fb messenger and long story short they decided to make plans to meet up.

The first time seeing one another again was April 29th, 2017 at El Camino when Mandy was out with her momma having margaritas and Matthew being across the way (backyard bbq) with his friends. Matthew wanted to come over to El Camino to hangout and talk, but not without going back to his spot to change into jeans and put on cologne. When Matthew did show up by himself it didn't last long due to his friends (and now Mandy's friends) showing up also. They said they needed to see why Matthew had to go home to change before heading across the parking lot to see Mandy. She must be special. (I guess I must be...look at us now!)

Even though it took Mandy some time to warm up to her teddy bear (Matthew) he was able to take her on dates and after a month (Matthew seems to think it was longer and felt like 3 months lol) she finally let him have her phone number. They made things official & finally introduced Matthew as her boyfriend to her daughter Cali in June 2017. By that October Matthew was fully moved into Mandy's rental home. In December of 2018 they decided to take a big leap and buy a home together... January 2019 they bought their lovely home in the Washington Local School district and grew their love and family by getting the cutest, fluffiest white kitty and named him Gatlin after Gatlinburg, Tennessee... which is their favorite place to vacation as a family.

Memorial Day weekend (May) 2020 Matthew's twin Richard married his beautiful wife Megan . Since Matthew and Richard's family was already in town to help celebrate the wedding. Matthew made plans of his own and with family and one of Mandy's friends (now her M.O.H Kristi) was over their house for a cookout Matthew ended up getting down on one knee to ask Mandy for her hand in marriage.

They decided to have a longer engagement but we are FINALLY here people... Ohhhhh how I can't wait to be Mrs. Smith!