We first met in Driver’s Ed. Fast forward to May 2018, we matched on Tinder and started talking nonstop that morning. That afternoon, by pure coincidence, we were both golfing at Willow Ridge—just two holes apart. After realizing we were so close, we decided to go on a date later that day (where I aggressively hit my head on his truck, and he accidentally ditched his friend… sorry, Biskey!). From that moment on, we spent every day together—going on drives to our favorite spots to watch the sunset and rewatching Rocky IV more times than we can count. Just six days after reconnecting, Matthew got down on one knee (in the middle of the road, no less) and asked me to be his girlfriend. Not long after, he moved into my tiny little apartment—the one with the bed in the living room and a two-foot kitchen with no oven. Despite the cramped space, in 2020, we made room for our little Floofer Boots, Leia, and started building a life together while saving for a bigger home. In 2024, right after we got engaged, we finally found that home! Now, with all the extra space, we sometimes lose each other—but with some yelling (good thing we’re both so loud), we always manage to find our way back.

For our anniversaries—and anytime we just want to go for a drive—we always find ourselves at the same three spots: The Snye, “our turbine” by the little creek, and Mitchell’s Bay. This time was no different. We tried to take a picture, but the weather was absolutely horrendous, so instead, we just stood there, looking out at the water. Then Matthew wrapped me in a hug and asked, “What are you doing for the next 40 or 50 years?” I immediately started to cry, knowing it was the way Rocky proposed to Adrian. And before I could even process it, he got down on one knee and said, “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind marrying me too much?” And—I said YES! So here we are… LET’S CELEBRATE!