Our story begins in 2022 with two people looking for love and doing whatever is necessary to make a relationship work. Andrea and I met online and the connection was instant. We are both nurses and have similar interests, so it didn't take long for a date. After Andrea bamboozled me into thinking that she lived in the Philadelphia area, she took a travel nursing assignment in Southern Delaware. While a two plus hour drive seemed like a stretch for a date, something was pulling me to go and meet this girl who felt so familiar to me when we hadn't even met yet. Our first date was at the Rusty Rudder and eventually lead to where we will be married, Lighthouse Cove in Dewey Beach, Delaware.

The summer of 2022 was fast, fun and full of love. I spent most of my available time coming to Delaware for an opportunity to get some time with Andrea. Throughout the summer, we were introduced to several friends and family members. Andrea got to experience some new adventures with me in New Jersey, and I did the same with her in Delaware. The summer was full of beach trips, almost sinking a boat, sweating (Matt), a newfound love of country music, and maybe a few drinks.

As the summer ended, we realized that this wasn't just summer love. We were having

trouble staying away from each other, so I started looking for a house in New Jersey. In the interim, we took a trip to Seattle and British Columbia. A long trip like that can either make or break a couple, and it certainly made us stronger. What I will always remember was trying to sneak in one last hike in Vancouver before heading back to Seattle for our flight home. We had visited a

rope park that morning, and after having a drink and some poutine, Andrea suggested we go for a short but demanding hike called “The Grind.” It was a steep hike, but a relatively short one (per Andrea and her “app”). After the distance that was promised to me (about 1 mile), we came across a sign that said: “Congratulations, you’ve made it 25% up the mountain.” At that point, I had a full blown panic attack, as I had already sweat through my only shirt for the day (or for the

trip, since we were leaving the next day). Luckily for me, we did make it, but I don’t think my shirt did. However, that Molson xl at the top of the

mountain with this beautiful woman sitting next to me, is one memory I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

In November of 2022, we settled on a new home in a familiar town. Let’s just say that Andrea really must love me, as the house needed a lot of work. I’ve spent a lot of my life learning and honing my remodeling skills, but I’ve never had to use those skills for an entire house at the same time. But with a lot of blood, sweat, tears, curse words, miller lite and tremendous support from family members, Andrea and I were able to make a house a home in a relatively short amount of time. We had set a goal of having Christmas in our new house, and we just made it (barely). All we need is a functioning sink and a full bathroom, right babe? 😊 I swear its looks much better now 😊

2023 started with a new travel assignment for Andrea in New Jersey, and becoming a family with our two boys, Luke and Dylan. I love this woman to pieces but watching her develop such a strong relationship with the boys has made me love her even more. No one could have done better with our situation, and she continues to amaze me every day. Andrea complements me in so many ways, but I think we really shine as parents.

As spring arrived, I had made plans to propose to Andrea. I knew that I loved her from early on, and we needed a lot of that to make it to where we are today. We’ve had to work on things that most other couples take for granted, but we always seem to find a way, and I think that will sustain us through our marriage. We communicate, and as anyone knows with Andrea, she has no problem telling me when I need to fix or correct something.

The summer of 2023 officially started with a proposal on June 3rd where we first met, and is wrapping up with this story. Friends and family were able to celebrate at the beach house, and Marianne (rather quickly) paid me my dowery for taking Andrea off her hands, which is sitting in our house in New Jersey. The rest of our summer continued on as the last one, but with a few more “Kid Friendly” places to visit. We got to explore water parks, new beaches, caverns, Baltimore, mini golf and someone pooping their pants leaving a Mexican restaurant (We’ll let you guess who it was).

Thank you for reading our story, and we hope you can celebrate with us next year by helping us say “I do” in Dewey!