So here's how it started. Kristin was on the phone with her friend and bridesmaid Andrea. It was there that Kristin revealed that she had a long time crush on Matt. From there, they (and a bottle of wine each) drafted an email to Matt. It was, in his words, the most painfully awkward but sincerest way to ask for someone's number.. all under the guise of helping out at work. He of course saw right through that and eagerly gave his number.

The next day.. She sent him a message, thanking him for his professional disposition. Also included in this message, was a request to "engage in conversation outside of work".

Matt and Kristin had their first date at Inside the Five. They both ordered a beer and nervously ate two bites out of entire, gigantic, soft pretzel. Afterwards he drove them back to Kristin's house and talked and talked and talked until 3 in the morning. He drove home, very tired. But when they woke up, they both had the biggest smiles on their faces.

From there they went on dates, talked on the phone til the early hours in the morning, and realized they had many things in common. After some time and quite a bit of growling from her dog Murphy, Matt was accepted as part of the family.

On a very frenzied and busy day, a Friendsgiving in fact, they first said I love you to each other. At the time Matt was picking meat off of a turkey and Kristin was stressing about dishes and making sure people were having a good time. He felt so peaceful in that moment and felt that everything was right in the world.

From there on out, they continued to enjoy their time together. They went to Mudhens and Lions games and yelled til their voices gave out. The rode their bikes all over the Toledo metroparks. They enjoyed their quiet days at home, making chili, loving their dogs (and a cat the adopted together), and playing video games.

Finally, one day Matt had decided to make Kristin climb a whole mountain.. although, it was actually just a dune in the Sleeping Bear Dunes park. Kristin was unaware at the time, but he had planned this out for months. He would take her up to Pyramid Point, pour his heart out to her, and ask her to marry him. It was a tender moment between the two of them as they looked out over the water, listening to their favorite songs and passing a flask back and forth.

And since you are reading this, you'll know that she very happily said yes.

Travel coming soon!