Matthew and Belle knew of each other long before they got together. They were in each other's social circles starting in 2017, aware that the other existed but not interacting much.

Matthew and Belle were a part of Middlecross Church's extended family, neither being members but involved in many activities such as their Young Adult Group. Growing in faith together, Matthew invited Belle to join a table top role-playing game that he and another friend with Middlecross were putting together in 2019, to which Belle accepted. At the same time, Matthew and Belle were also attending Southeast Community College together, playing ping pong games to which Belle confidently mopped the floor with him. Matthew is thankfully a good sport about each loss.

During the lockdown of 2020, Matthew and Belle continued to hang out online each week playing video games and the table-top role-playing game with their mutual friends. In November of 2020, Matthew invited Belle and their online friends to see a play that he was a part of called 'Almost, Maine'. Belle hatched a plan with their friends to gift Matthew a bouquet of flowers at the end of his show, to which Matthew responded that he had never received flowers after one of his shows before and touched his hand to his heart, touched by the gesture. The genuineness of Matthew's reaction startled Belle into realizing that there was something there that wasn't there before.

One night in January 2021, Belle and Matthew joined two of their friends for a movie night. The host had recently gotten a new couch and Belle found it to be very, very uncomfortable. In an effort to find a better seat, Belle slowly inched closer to Matthew as the night went on (no other motives besides comfort, of course) until they were touching on the couch. At the end of the night, Matthew and Belle talked about what had happened and decided to take the next steps of their relationship slow.

On February 18th, 2021 Matthew and Belle had their first date at Prehistoric Putt Putt and dinner at Gourmet Grill in Lincoln, NE. Over the course of their relationship, Matthew and Belle went to several theatre shows, family outings, life trials, and life joys. Belle knew Matthew was the one when he stayed throughout her family's trials, and Matthew knew Belle was the one as she accepted and loved him with all his quirks and extracurriculars.

In November 2023, Belle had made the decision to take the next step in their relationship. Belle created a scrapbook full of their favorite memories and theatre shows, with the last page asking Matthew the big question. The week after their third dating anniversary (because Matthew wasn't feeling well on their anniversary), Belle gave Matthew the scrapbook, and Matthew said yes. Belle and Matthew decided to keep their engagement a secret from everyone except their best friends and later, Grandma Kendle, until Matthew could have his chance to propose back.

Belle and Matthew went on vacation with Matthew's best friend to California the first week of April 2024. On the Santa Monica Pier the day before they headed home, Matthew got his chance! Now they are looking forward to the next act of their lives and are excited to share their love with their friends and family.

M&B

Reception