Matt and Jackie’s story began at their friends Kayla and Hudson’s wedding. Kayla is one of Jackie’s best friends from college, and Hudson served alongside Matt during deployment. During their nine months overseas, Hudson took on the role of matchmaker, talking up his wife’s best friend to Matt, who may or may not have done a little “Facebook research” from the Middle East. When the wedding day finally arrived, Matt and Jackie met in person for the first time. Let’s just say Matt wasted no time, strategically following Jackie toward the bathroom to make his move (bold, we know). At the time, life had other plans and the timing wasn’t quite right. But a few months later, Jackie couldn’t stop thinking about Matt. They reconnected when she visited Virginia Beach, where Matt was stationed, and the rest is history. What started as long-distance between Arlington, VA and Virginia Beach soon turned into a bigger adventure when Matt received orders to Bremerton, WA. Just eight months into dating, Jackie made the brave (and slightly crazy) decision to follow him across the country. Their two years in Seattle were filled with growth, challenges, and plenty of love, with lessons in communication, trust, and partnership that strengthened their bond. When Matt separated from the Navy, they moved to Jacksonville, FL with their two dogs, Mowgli and Ozzy, ready for their next chapter. Now, they’re soaking up the sunshine, building a home together, and counting down the days until they say “I do.”