Matt and Nicole first met on the online dating app: Hinge. Nicole swiped right on Matt’s profile and Matt initiated the text message conversation.

Matt asked if Nicole wanted to get coffee or tea on a Thursday night. After Nicole researching (and thinking) what possible place would be open past 8pm, they went on their first date at the Qahwah House in Lombard, IL. Matt and Nicole enjoyed meeting in person and drinking some Yemen Arabic tea!

Nicole visited Matt (who still lived in the city at the time) and they went out to eat at Coda di Volpe in Lakeview on the 18th. After about two months of talking, Matt and Nicole finally became “official”! Matt walked Nicole to her car and before she headed home from the city, Matt asked her to be his girlfriend! “Yes!”

Matt and Nicole went to the Tulip Festival at Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove, IL. Afterwords, they took a drive to Lake Geneva together. After walking on the lake path for a bit, getting sushi at their now favorite place, “Sabai Sabai”, and sharing their own stories of times spent in Lake Geneva, they concluded that they must have crossed paths at some point prior to meeting one another.

Matt took Nicole sailing in the city at Monroe Harbor with Matt’s sister and brother in law. This was the beginning of their Alphabet dating (selecting a letter of the alphabet and making a date out of something that aligned with that selected letter).

SURPRISE! As Matt and Nicole worked to get through each letter of the alphabet, their dates became full of adventures and surprises. Nicole surprised Matt with a taco charcuterie board date on Pier 23 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

After the span of four weddings in 6 weeks, Nicole enjoyed being Matt’s plus one and lighting up the dance floor together!

It’s hiking time! 21 miles later, the couple walked the Lake Geneva Lakeshore path. The start of their hiking adventures also led them to sign up to run the Chicago Marathon together. A check off of their bucket list will be made on October 13th, 2024!

Quick trip getaway to Anna Maria, Florida with Matt’s family. Traveling is something these two instantly cherished with one another.

Matt and Nicole’s first trip out of the country together to Switzerland. Coincidentally, they left on their 1 year and 4 month anniversary as well!

Love is in the air! Matt asked a German couple to take a video of them. When Nicole went to put her arm around Matt to smile for what she thought was a picture, Matt proposed. The best surprise Nicole could have ever imagined. After Matt and Nicole received a blessing from the German couple who captured the moment for them, they spent all night (2am Swiss time) telling all of their friends and family the exciting engagement news!

Matt and Nicole fell in love with the wedding venue at Hawks View Golf Course in Lake Geneva, WI. Now they are counting down the days until they say, “I Do” at St Francis De Sales church with their favorite pastor, Father Ray. Matt and Nicole are looking forward to celebrating with you on August 30th, 2025!