Everything started back in 2019, yes...2019.

We had met briefly and had been talking for a little while when he left me on read. Completely ghosted me.

A few years later I just so happened to come across Michael online. I recognized who he was right away, Michael, not so much, didn't know who I was AT ALL.

As we started talking again, my initial plan was to ghost him the way I had been ghosted years ago. We talked for a while and eventually planned our first date.

October 1st, sushi of course.

The afternoon before I was hanging out with a friend when I suggested I should cancel the date. She told me it wouldn’t hurt if I went, it’s a free dinner after all… so I decided to go.

I was getting ready for the date, planning on going to a Greek dance at college right after, assuming I was never going to see him again after this. Per usual, I was running late, so he patiently waited for me in the parking lot. I profusely apologized right when I got in the car. It was at that moment I realized I couldn’t just ghost him, I had to see this through.

My plan completely failed.

He was the perfect gentleman and I couldn’t stop seeing him. I had never really felt that way about anyone before. Every date we went on after that felt like minutes when in reality, I would end up in my dorm at four in the morning, despite him having work the next day.

Ever since that first date, he's been my rock, my safe space, and my home. He compliments me in ways I didn't even think were possible. He’s quite literally the yang to my yin and I couldn’t be more grateful.

I’ve fallen so hard. I never thought I could love someone the way I love him. His patience, intelligence, compassion, and calm demeanor inspire me every day.

And now, I get to marry my best friend :)

I'm sure you all have read about me ghosting her in 2019. Yes, I know it was quite a mistake on my part. Although there are still parts of me that regret ghosting her, I'm glad everything happened the way it did because who doesn't love a good character-building arc am I right? But alas, that’s a story for another day.

I’ll try my best to keep this short and sweet because I consider myself a “Modern-day Truman Capote” of storytelling (ask any of my friends).

So fast forward to the fall of ‘22, October 1st. I was going on a date with a very special lady. I wore my Sunday best, blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a maroon checkered flannel with an Alice Cooper cut-off shirt underneath….Classic Matheny I know. She wore a nice green turtle neck and black leggings.

It wasn’t like we were going to The Ritz but she was the best-looking girl in that restaurant that night hands down. There we talked (mostly her) about her growing up, how she’s an older sister (which she’s very proud of) having an older brother, and how they are the best of friends. She also talked about her passion for cooking and how she enjoys it (trust me IT’S GOOD), and shortly thereafter I drove her home. We went on a few more dates where in return I talked some more and things grew from there. From her beating me at bowling (she’s a natural) to us sitting by the river till 4 in the morning, regardless if I had work the next day.

From that point on I fell deeply and madly in love with her. Not only from her stunning looks but from how passionate she is with things she cares about to her intellect. She has truly made me into a better person, mentally and physically.

I feel deeply honored and genuinely grateful that I get to marry my best friend, my soul mate.