We Got Married!

We first met at 19 years old at the Starbucks on Tennessee Street up in Tallahassee, FL. Matthew paid for my "skinny" peppermint chocolate mocha and we sat outside the coffee shop talking for hours about South Florida, Adventure Club (it was a phase), and of course FSU football. We were both nervous but there was never a moment of silence and I am pretty sure we stayed until Starbucks closed that night. I ended up driving Matt home and later inviting him on my sorority date function. And the rest is history. Who knew we would find our perfect "match".

We took a needed vacation to Islamorada and found a beautiful secluded beach area. We had our beach chairs, publix subs, and of course corona lights. After about an hour of hanging in paradise, Matt pulls out his phone and says, “I found this letter on my laptop that I wrote you four years ago.” He reads it to me and I found myself in tears. It had mentioned that he knew he had found “the one” and how he would ask me to marry him one day. After that moment we listened to some music on Matt’s phone and he played “This is it” by Scotty McCreary (I didn’t know he actually played it, he lied and said it was on shuffle). The song mentions about the perfect moment proposing. After that he said, “Hey ally, let’s go walk by the water.” He took my hand and we walked a few yards by the mangroves. He turned me towards him and said, “So you know I’m going to marry you one day?” Of course I shrugged my shoulders and said “Mhmmm maybe!” Teasing him. He had his shirt rolled up in his hand, he threw it on the mangroves and I saw the ring box and I immediately started crying! He got down on one knee, laughing and crying at the same time. I put my hands over my eyes and face, and he said “ Allyson will you marry me?” I was crying so I couldn’t even respond or look at the ring. I couldn’t believe the moment I have been looking forward to for so many years was finally here. I finally squealed, “yes, yes, yes!” He put the ring on my finger (very carefully in the water). And we both hugged and cried in each other’s arms. Best day of our lives! We are both SO excited to celebrate with all of you. Now let's party!

We truly never could have imagined we would be trying to get married in the middle of a global pandemic. We unfortunately had to push back our vision of of big wedding day twice and it brought much frustration and tears. Matt looked at me one day through all of this discouragement and said, "I just want to marry you." We decided that life is too short and we wanted to celebrate our love and commitment for each other and have a small ceremony with half of our bridal party and only a few of our immediate family. I did not get to wear my original wedding dress and it was not traditional at all, but it was so intimate and perfect for Matt and I that it truly felt like we were the only two on the beach. I have to admit, Matt's vows blew me out of the water and were so much better than mine! Growing up I always thought I wanted the huge Cinderella wedding, but 2020 has taught us we have so much to be thankful for and what is truly important to us. We are so thankful for each and everyone of our friends and family for helping us get through these times and making us feel so special and loved. We are so happy to finally be “The Lillys”!