Happily ever after celebration 11.28.21

Matt was home on a rare break during BUDS training (he had broken his hand so had some time to recover) and was over at Brandon's hanging out one night. Brandon had invited me over, and I remember walking in wondering who the guy sitting at the basement bar was. Later that evening Matt struck up conversation. Since he was one of the few people there I didn't know, I asked if he was one of the guys' college friends home with them for Thanksgiving. Matt laughed and replied "you don't know who I am?". Needless to say I looked past the humility and we spent the rest of the evening deep in conversation. It wasn't long before Matt was making frequent extended trips home while his hand healed. We went on to enjoy years of dating long distance through the rest of BUDS training in Coronado, moving to VA Beach for his first team, Matt's first deployment, and Abby's high school graduation and college years. Life happened and we decided to go our separate ways and pursue fairly demanding careers - Matt in Virginia and Abby in Missouri and Texas. Enter Thanksgiving 2017. Neither of us made it home often but both happened to be in STL that weekend. Thanksgiving night I went to meet up with Dani and a few friends at Rookies in Wentzville. My parents occasionally join, and that night they decided to come in and say hello as well. Not 5 minutes after we arrived in walks Brandon, and much to my surprise Matthew is right behind him - full beard and long hair, but I immediately recognized him (as did my excited parents). After a little time we started chatting and conversation quickly flowed like we were never apart. Once I was home I saw a message from Matt asking me to breakfast the next day :) Breakfast turned into a visit in my parents' kitchen catching up with the family, which turned into a day celebrating the Cellas' engagement together, which turned into a Dallas visit from Matt the next weekend. That December he visited 3 weekends :)

I knew I wanted to marry Abby for a long time. The time was right, and I got up the nerve to ask her Dad when he was visiting over Thanksgiving. Thankfully he said yes with minimal lecturing. First hurdle down. I had already been talking back and forth with the jeweler trying to design the ring at that point. The problem was I was in another state and had to do everything via pictures. I had the ring sent to my brother for safe keeping. Man I was nervous. Did I mention I was picking up our dog on the way? I landed in St. Louis... finally got to see Abby then meet up with Nick and the ring... everything looks good.... only people that know are Lindsey, Nick and Blake... THE SCENE IS SET... little nervous... everything looks good... all the family is around, I get on a knee, and she says YES! - Matt Matt was picking up Ranger in Florida, and I was already in STL for Christmas. I went to meet them at the airport Saturday morning. Not only was I getting to meet Ranger for the first time, but this was finally the LAST flight of our long distance relationship. We would be leaving STL together the next day for the first time and moving in together back in Dallas. We celebrated Christmas with my family then headed over to Matt's family celebration. My parents were invited too and came that evening. I was completely clueless. I could tell Matt was nervous, but I thought it was because we had Ranger around so many people. In fact, just before he got down on one knee he told me, "I'm so nervous." I thought nothing of it (not sure how this was possible as I had been "looking out" for our engagement for months). Next thing I knew Matt was down on one knee smiling up at me. To top it off he made the happiest and most important moment of our lives happen in front of both our families. THE BEST DAY. - Abby

Although the pandemic led to postponing the wedding celebration, we knew we didn't want to further delay our marriage. On August 3, 2020, in the Garden Chapel at Big Cedar Lodge, we were married in an intimate ceremony with our closest family. The day was a sunny, 80 degree day in August, spent getting to celebrate our love and commitment with each other and our families, and it was truly everything we didn't know we wanted in a wedding day. Abby and the ladies got ready at the Big Cedar Spa while Matt and the guys spent the morning at the "glamp-sites". Our photographer (Aunt Nancy) and videographer (Uncle Doug) prepared a beautiful first look that was one of our most special moments together that day. We then had a ceremony complete with music, personalized vows, and the "first kiss" in the intimate chapel. The afternoon was left for photographs around the amazing property then a private dinner for our families, and of course, wedding cake! This was followed by continued celebration around the campfire. Although we are already married, we know the opportunity to celebrate with all our family and friends together is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we want to celebrate! We can't wait to see y'all down in Austin in November!