Sarah and Matt met on January 31st, 2020 with not the slightest idea that the world as we knew it - and their world - was about to be forever changed. For those who know them, their meeting at a Jewish, singles event was nothing short of a miracle. Sarah hated (and still hates) most social events, was dragged kicking and screaming to this event by a coworker, and showed up two hours late. Matt was tired at the end of a very long work week, so having enough liquid courage to strike up conversation with a girl he'd never met was not his typical behavior pattern in such a situation.

Yet, somehow, that night, in the basement of Harp and Crown, the two started talking. Matt tried to move the conversation closer and closer to the bowling lane in the bar. Sarah desperately tried to steer away from the bowling lane out of fear that her lack of bowling prowess would be an immediate turnoff.

They didn't end up bowling. But they did end up bonding over their love of baseball, appreciation of improv comedy, and agreement that vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles is the far superior option. After Matt - the Yankees fan - confirmed that Sarah was not a Red Sox fan and Sarah - the Cubs fan - confirmed that Matt was not a Mets fan, their fate was sealed and the two agreed to meet again. Over the next years, the two would attend many baseball games together. They even went as their favorite baseball players for their first Halloween as a couple.

You do the math. Just a few months after they met, their amazing streak of meeting in the city after work multiple nights a week for dates was abruptly cut short. But, after some awkwardly drawn out stints on Facebook Messenger, numerous outdoor dates (even one where they sat on a bench and watched geese for two hours), and three seasons of Ozark they somehow came out on the other side stronger and better than ever. Since the producers took their sweet time releasing season four of Ozark, the two had the joy of watching it together post-Pandemic. They had their option of watching at Matt's place in Jersey on a sofa that was so old Matt and Sarah literally tore it apart with their bare hands to get rid of it when Matt moved out. Or, they could watch it at Sarah's place in Manayunk on a tiny futon that you had to hike up three flights of winding stairs to reach.

They are pleased to say, that now, at their place, they have a lovely sectional that is comfortable and easily accessible to all. This sectional has been the setting for many further tv binges including Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Only Murders in the Building, and just about anything on Disney Plus that Sarah can convince Matt to watch.

Sarah told Matt on the first night they met that she had a cat named Teagan. This was a big deal obviously, as Sarah has been told by many, that they've never met anyone who loves their cat as much as Sarah loves Teagan. Matt was nervous about getting along well with the cat, but he wouldn't let on to his nerves.

Luckily for everyone, Matt and Teagan bonded instantly. So much so that Sarah would even joke sometimes that the only reason Matt was with her was to be with Teagan. Matt became a natural cat-dad so quickly that less than a year after moving in together, they adopted a second cat, Melody, into their little family. Between two cats, and Sarah who appears to shed like a cat, it is a good thing that Matt doesn't mind the chore of vacuuming!

Once Sarah and Matt decided they were ready to move in together, things progressed quickly. Anyone who knows Sarah, knows that she doesn't wait around. And anyone who knows Matt, knows he likes to take his time and think through decisions strategically. So yes, the two clash over this sometimes, but most of the time it works!

They agreed to start looking for places in Manayunk, looked at places, and signed a lease all within the span of a few days. It was so fast that when Matt called his parents to tell them the news, he hadn't even told them that he and Sarah had been thinking about moving in together yet. When Sarah called her parents to break the news, she had to break the corresponding bad news that they'd be moving the weekend that her parents had previously decided to come visit. So, of course, they were then roped into helping with the move.

After the dust settled, Sarah and Matt adjusted to living together better than either of them would have thought. So, at that point, it was only a matter of time until Sarah would encourage Matt to pop the question. They officially got engaged on April 9th, 2023 on a walking path just a few minutes from their place. They are so excited to spend the rest of their lives together (a.k.a. put up with each other for the rest of their lives) and can't wait to celebrate with you all!