Matt and Natalie both attended Aquinas for high school. However, they were one year apart and never knew each other. Natalie says she knew of Matt, but Matt did not know of Natalie.

For college, Natalie attended Fredonia for 6 years and Matt attended Kent State in Ohio for 4 years. On college breaks, Natalie and Matt would occasionally run into each other at Rochester bars. Matt was then aware that Natalie went to Aquinas after some brief conversations.

After officially moving back to Rochester from graduating college, Matt and Natalie had reconnected through a dating app. They eventually went on their first date at Jeremiah's Tavern in Penfield and the rest is history.