Matt & Ashley’s love story starts at a unique time in our history, the COVID lockdown. Both stuck at home and craving human connection, Ashley and Matt were swiping through Bumble, one of the numerous dating apps available today (Bumble is unique in that it lets the girl initiate the conversation once both parties have “swiped right” on each other). Ashley remembers seeing Matt’s profile come across her screen and thinking how handsome he was, and she was elated when they finally matched and she could use her killer pick-up line on him (“Super serious question, pancakes or waffles?”). From there, the couple connected via the in-app chat to feel each other out. On June 1st, they met in person for the first time over tacos and margaritas at Barrio in Lakewood. They had a lot in common and enjoyed each other’s company and decided to meet again in a few days time for a hike at Rocky River Reservation. From there blossomed the picture perfect summer of a pandemic love story. They had dates at every park in Cleveland (with Rocky River Park, Edgewater, and Lakewood Park being their favorites). They walked everywhere and swam in Lake Erie. They saw drive in movies and shared many happy hours on the various bar patios throughout Cleveland. Matt also got to see Ashley dance live for the first time – coming to one of Verb Ballets’ drive in style shows in Tremont that August. They fell in love quite quickly (how could you not watching sunsets over Lake Erie all summer?!?), but waited until the end of summer to say “I love you!”. From there, they started to spend more and more time together. Matt watched every one of Ashley’s virtual dance shows and Ashley spent every minute she wasn’t dancing with Matt. Matt joined Ashley and her family on their annual skiing trip to Colorado that December, where Matt proved to be an AMAZING skier, which only made Ashley even more smitten. Throughout that winter they shared a lot of firsts, getting stuck in a snowstorm trying to make it to a dinner date, celebrating their first Valentine’s Day together, and planning their first trip together – they spent their first anniversary enjoying the sights of Niagara Falls. That summer was filled with lots of trips to Cedar Point, weekend trips to Lake Chautauqua, and the return of live shows for Ashley. Matt came to every Verb show and ended up not missing a single dance performance in the time he has known Ashley. While this summer was busier, they still made time to get outside and be together as much as possible. That fall, winter, and even spring began a barrage of home renovations on Matt’s 100 year old house in Lakewood. Ashley became Matt’s construction assistant (despite having next to no knowledge about renovating a house), and together (with the help of Matt’s parents) they renovated the kitchen, mud room, backyard, front porch, and master bath. That spring, on the most perfect, warm April day (it had snowed that Monday and Tuesday and on this Saturday it was sunny and 75), Matt proposed to Ashley at one of their favorite spots, Rocky River Park. That brings us to the here and now and our wedding. We are so excited to get married and share this special day with you!