We met by design, through the app Hinge in January 2021. The pandemic made meeting new people a challenge, so finding someone so wonderful on a casual first date that felt so natural almost seemed like fate. We’re still big fans of Tampa Bay Brewing Company, where that first date took place! We were surprised to discover how much we had in common, and the intriguing differences encouraged us to spend more time getting to know each other. We’ve been each other’s Valentine ever since ♡ Our first trip together was a road trip to Savannah, where we saw the sights, ate some great food, and laughed our way through a haunted bar crawl. Since then, we’ve spent many days and weekends enjoying the natural beauty of the area we call home, hiking trails, paddling rivers, and fishing in lovely parks. Family trips to Palm Coast with Matthew’s family and to the Appalachians with Rachel’s family have been filled with joy and love from the people who mean the most to us. Please join us on the water at Tampa Bay Watch Lighthouse in Tierra Verde on February 6, 2026, as we celebrate our wedding. We are so excited and honored to share this day with you!