We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

In April 2022, Claire swiped right on Matt after seeing his handsome smile... and golden retriever (she had one in her dating profile, too). She sent the first message... then ghosted! Luckily a day later, he found her on a different dating app and she immediately gave him her phone number. They decided to meet at Cosmic Coffee a few days later and spent an hour talking about their passions in the health & wellness space as entrepreneurs. They found they had a lot in common, like a love for health and fitness, growing up in East Coast shoreline towns, and dessert!

Over the last nearly 4 years, Matt and Claire have made amazing memories together - from taking the leap to move in together after just four months of dating (!), traveling to Italy, deciding to walk hand in hand with God in joining Austin Ridge in 2025, road tripping to Charleston every Christmas, attending/hosting retreats, going to concerts, cooking classes, facing the ups and downs with entrepreneurship together and more.

On a weekend trip to Los Angeles, Claire and Matt spent a beautiful fun filled day exploring Venice Beach. They visited The Mecca Gold's Gym, wandered through the shops, and people watched along the pier, muscle beach and the Venice Beach skate park. They enjoyed a romantic dinner in Santa Monica on their second night of the trip. The restaurant was located along the beach near the pier, and they had plans to go play arcade games after their dinner. Claire had thought a proposal could be coming, but convinced herself otherwise, even sending a text to the Maid of Honor (her sister Chase) expressing her certainty and acceptance that "it probably won't happen this trip" just minutes before the surprise. Once the check came, Matt told Claire he wanted to run down the beach and put his feet in the water before they went to the pier. The sun was setting and the temperature had dropped a bit, so Claire thought this was a little odd. They left the restaurant and started down the long sandy stretch to the water. Halfway down, Claire stopped and jokingly asked Matt if she could stay put while he went to put his feet in the water. He insisted that she keep up, and they finally reached the water, kicked off their shoes and stepped into the freezing water! Claire turned back around and spotted a photographer, again convincing herself "it's California! That could be for anything." Turning around again, she saw Matt reach for his back pocket for the ring and smile when it finally hit! He got down on one knee in the sand and asked her to marry him.