Matt and Allie met at the Loyola vs. Illinois State basketball game on February 19, 2020 (although Allie doesn't actually remember being introduced at the game). They talked on the L train ride home and realized they lived only one stop apart and would both be attending a mutual friend's birthday party that weekend. The party was at Roadhouse 66, a favorite low quality bar of Allie's.


Matt and Allie got the chance to connect at the party, and always the gentleman, Matt offered to walk Allie home. On the walk home, Matt played his classics playlist which included, much to Allie's surprise, one of her favorite songs, Stand By Me by Ben E. King. When they arrived at Allie's doorstep, Matt stood there nervously while Allie stared him down until he kissed her.


They went on their first date the next weekend and were officially together by March 7, 2020. The following weekend was Chicago's St. Patrick's Day celebration - they went out together and then the world shut down. They spent the next year getting to know each other in the safety of Matt's apartment; they played cards, went on long walks, pointed out cute dogs, cooked, and watched movies together. They realized that they must have interacted before as they had many mutual friends at Loyola and attended many of the same events - both in college and post grad. While at school, Allie worked at the Damen desk and Matt worked for the basketball team - two roles that had regular interactions.


In April 2021, Allie went to training and learned she was going to be placed in San Francisco. Matt made the decision to move with her, and in July of 2021 they moved across the country. After 40 days their stuff finally arrived and they began getting settled into their new lives.


The next two years were spent attending baseball games, going on long walks through Golden Gate Park, attending concerts, and exploring the West Coast: Lake Tahoe, Denver, Napa, San Diego & Carmel-by-the-Sea, as well as multiple trips to Chicago for friends' weddings. Allie has loved getting to spend time with family and Matt is getting used to her family's rambunctious gatherings. Ask Matt about all the Vinella traditions he's enjoyed! They love to joke that Matt is returning to his California roots and he's loved being able to visit his family in San Diego multiple times.


They also visited Matt's mom in Cleveland, including a trip in May of 2023 to buy the engagement ring. Matt really wanted something from his hometown to be included in their story. It was very special to pick out the ring together and Matt's review of the process has been included in radio ads for the jewelry store! They - obviously - also went to a Guardians game and got on the jumbotron! Both events were equally exciting.


Because Chicago is such an important location to both Matt and Allie and to their relationship, they decided to get engaged in Chicago. With the help of their friends, Matt proposed along the lakefront and they celebrated that evening with the people who have known them for more than a decade and witnessed their relationship grow.


They decided on their venue of Palisades in...April 2023. They booked their venue before they bought the ring! Allie loves Tahoe and it has been a huge part of her life since childhood. Since moving, she has been able to share that love with Matt, and it has become a beautiful destination for weekend getaways and visits with friends and family.