It all started thanks to our favorite matchmaker, Lexie. One evening in March of 2024, Matea got a text from her best friend asking if she’d be interested in meeting her friend from Grad School, Mason. Along with his name came a glowing description of his character and a few photos. Matea thought he was cute and sounded like someone she’d get along with, so she said, “Sure!” (with the important note that she was not planning on moving to California… or anywhere else).

At the same time, Lexie showed Mason photos of Matea and told him about her, and he was just as interested. The next day, Lexie introduced us in a group text, and that’s when the conversations began. The conversations flowed so easily, and we knew there was something special.

After months of late-night calls, texts, and lots of prayers, Mason made plans to visit Kansas in July 2024. We counted down the days with excitement (and a little impatience). When he finally arrived, we instantly clicked in person, and on July 19 Mason asked Matea to be his girlfriend. Our long-distance adventure began.

The months that followed were filled with daily FaceTime calls, flights, joyful reunions, and of course, teary goodbyes. We counted down days, weeks, and even months until we could see each other again. As our relationship deepened and we talked more seriously about discerning marriage, we knew that living in the same place was the next step. In June of 2025, Mason made the big decision to move to Salina with the help of his mom, Denise, who made the cross-country drive with him.

A few months later, Mason knew it was time to propose. He planned a sweet evening recreating our very first date—a picnic in Oakdale Park. After dinner at YaYa’s, he suggested a walk through the park and led Matea back to our picnic spot. There, he gave a heartfelt speech before nervously pulling out the ring (upside down, but perfect all the same). Matea said yes, and now we can’t wait to celebrate our wedding and begin this next chapter together!