We first met in April 2024 on Bumble, both of us giving online dating one last chance. Melanie was about to delete her profile when we matched, and she sent Matt her number right away. Matt was not entirely sure she was real at first, but he decided to take a chance.

Our first date at District Tap that May quickly confirmed what we were both hoping for. We were real, and we clicked instantly. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and before the night was even over, Melanie asked about a second date. From that point forward, we hardly spent any time apart.

What stood out most in those early days was how natural everything felt. There was no pressure and no pretending, just us being ourselves. Matt still remembers the way Melanie looked at him across the table, and Melanie remembers how at home she felt with him from the very start. Some of our favorite memories even now are the simple ones like cooking dinner, laughing over inside jokes, or cuddling up with Reese after a long day.

Reese quickly became part of our love story as well. Winning over Melanie also meant winning over her pup, and Matt was determined. It did not take long. Before we knew it, the two of them were best friends, spending hours at the dog park and playing fetch. Reese had his dog dad.

Since then our life together has been full of adventure. We have taken trips to Louisville, Illinois, Ohio, and West Virginia with Reese in tow, exploring breweries, trails, and new places while deepening our bond and dreaming about the future. Moving in together was another exciting chapter, where we built routines, combined homes, and introduced each other more deeply to the people who mean the most to us.

One of the most meaningful milestones for us was Matt’s baptism in March 2025. After months of walking in faith together, it was a truly special moment that reminded us how God’s timing had brought us together when we needed it most.

When it came time for the proposal, Matt had been planning behind the scenes for months. After asking Melanie’s parents for their blessing, he set the stage at home by filling the living room with roses. With Reese by his side and a camera ready, Matt got down on one knee. Melanie was so emotional that Matt had to ask twice before she managed to say yes through tears. Proposing in the first home we shared made it even more meaningful since it was the place where our life as a family had truly begun.

What we love most about our relationship is how it continues to bring us closer to God and to each other. We communicate openly, support one another, and encourage each other to grow into the best versions of ourselves. Our foundation is love, laughter, and faith, and we are so excited for all that is ahead including more adventures, building a home filled with warmth, and countless little moments with our family, friends, and our sweet pup Reese.

We cannot wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you. Your love and support mean the world to us, and we are overjoyed to share this moment and our future with you.

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