Brit and Mat met just three short weeks after Brit moved to St. Petersburg, FL, after spending the past nine years in Nashville, TN. She’d been feeling a tug on her heart to move near the ocean, though the thought of leaving her friends and Nashville behind to venture somewhere where she didn’t really know anyone felt scary. After making a promise to herself to just try it for a year (“Hey, if you hate it, you can always move back”), she decided to take the leap of faith. Brit joined a local run club she’d seen on Instagram (shoutout PRC!!) in hopes of making some friends and starting to build community in her new city. Mat had been to run club a few times before and always enjoyed the endorphins and post-run hangs. They found themselves standing near one another, talking in a circle of friends pre-run, and Brit broke the ice by complimenting Mat’s powder blue Hokas. She shared that she’d just moved to town, and Mat asked her if she was running from something or toward something. “Hopefully the latter,” she replied. They parted ways for the run and conveniently found themselves near each other again post-run. The conversation flowed as the two bonded over shared knee pain (as 30-somethings do), and Mat offered to share his sports therapist’s info with Brit… “What’s your number? I’ll send you his contact.” Aaaaand they’ve pretty much been inseparable ever since. That day, March 21, 2024, would be the start of something really good. Their first date took place shortly after at a farmer’s market in Treasure Island, where Mat, in a classic rom-com move, bumped his head on a tree branch moments after getting out of the car. They wandered the market, bought a pink pineapple, hula hooped like kids, and then walked the beach. It was simple, sunny, and just felt right. Fast forward a little over a year, and Mat proposed on May 15, 2025, right where it all began, after a Thursday night run with Pinellas Run Club. He planned the most thoughtful proposal, making sure it would happen before Brit’s snowbird parents headed back north for the summer. After purchasing a discreet flat ring case off Amazon to hide the ring during the run (and coming up with excuses for why his hands were so clammy that afternoon), Mat pulled off the surprise of a lifetime. The run that evening took place at Outcast Brewery in St. Pete, and it was a balmy 90 degrees. Mat convinced Brit to do the 3-mile route, most of which they walked, since Brit’s heart rate had zero chill. As they approached Outcast at the end of the run, Brit was totally oblivious to the chalk hearts and arrows drawn on the sidewalk. Mat had to say something to get her to start noticing. First, he pointed out the balloon arch. “OooOo so fancy!” Brit replied (cute decor was par for the course at run club). Then Mat asked why her parents were there, and holding signs? Utter confusion. “Do they think I’m running a half marathon!?” FINALLY, just moments before walking through a string of lettering that read “Will you marry me?”, it all clicked. Brit whipped her phone and sunglasses off, screamed “MAT I’M GONNA PASS OUT,” and proceeded to say yes to the best question she’s ever been asked. All this to say... trust those heart tugs & gut feelings, chase after the places (and people) that make your nervous system feel at peace, compliment strangers (especially if they’re cute!!), run fearlessly toward what you want, and believe it in your bones that God is GOOD and has a plan for you. It just might change your life. Now, we could not be more excited to celebrate this next chapter with all of you. We know it's a Sunday but we don't wanna hear any excuses... hopefully you have, or can take, MLK Day off because we are ready to have some FUN with the people we love most. See you all on the dance floor!