We both attended Norwich University, crossing paths occasionally during our early college years. It wasn’t until Michaela's junior year & Matthew's senior year that fate — and a Bud Heavy at a local bar — finally brought us together. From that night on, our story began — one built on ambition, shared laughter, and a connection that felt effortless from the start.

Our first date was on a chilly Friday after class — February 25, 2022 — when we headed up to Bolton Mountain for night skiing and snowboarding. Between the fresh snow and shared laughter on the slopes, something just clicked. Afterward, we grabbed McDonald’s on the way home and sang along to country music playing on the radio — simple, genuine, and perfectly us. Matthew may or may not have gotten pulled over for a taillight out... and his dorm room may or may not have flooded that night, too.

The first time we said I love you was perfectly imperfect — and very us. Before a bonfire one night, Michaela convinced Matthew to sit and watch The Phantom Menace, since he had never seen Star Wars. Partway through the movie, Michaela noticed he wasn’t watching the screen but staring at her instead. When she asked why he wasn’t paying attention, Matthew simply said, “I love you.” Completely caught off guard, Michaela yelled, “You can’t do that! You’re supposed to be watching the movie!” — which only made him laugh. It was spontaneous, sweet, and exactly the kind of moment that defines us.

While Matthew was on a day pass at Ranger School, “Darby Day,” we took a big step in our journey together: securing our first apartment, a little townhouse in Sackets Harbor, New York. In May 2023, we officially moved in together and savored every moment of life stationed at Fort Drum. During this time, our little family grew. While Matthew was on deployment, we welcomed our bulldog, Boomer, into our lives. We made countless memories and continued building the life we’d always dreamed of — full of love, laughter, and adventure.

Matthew chose a place already woven into our history. He took Michaela — and Boomer — on a walk to the spot they first explored together the night Michaela moved in. With Lake Ontario stretching out before us and the same quiet beauty that had framed so many shared moments, Matthew asked Michaela to spend forever with him. It was simple, deeply meaningful, and perfectly us — a full-circle moment marking the beginning of our next chapter.