The story of how Mat and I met is one of many missed connections. You see unbeknownst to us, we actually saw each other for the first time about 11 years ago. Mat and I were both attending Octoberfest in Helen, GA and happened to both be at the Troll Tavern at the same time. Mat was with some college buddies and I was with my then boyfriend and his fraternity brothers. I don't ever remember seeing Mat, although he says he remembers me and remembers thinking that I could do better. Fast forward a few years, Mat and I both ended up attended Georgia Perimeter College at the same time, we never encountered each other there, well at least that we know of. While Mat was at Perimeter he became with friends with his groomsman Trey Roberts. At that time Trey was dating his now wife Ashley, whom I happened to grow up going to youth group with at Snellville UMC. When Trey and Ashley got married, I was invited to their wedding, which of course Mat was to be a part of, unfortunately I was unable to attend and again missed Mat (unbeknownst to me Mat was not able to attend either, as he was on active duty with the Navy). Well finally in June of 2020 amongst the pandemic and the craziness of life, Mat and I both decided to log on to the Bumble dating app. Mat of course swept right first, I hesitated because I thought for sure he was out of my league, but after some thought I figured why not. Mat sent me a sweet message on June 3rd and we have not stopped talking since. Our first date was out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse June 14th and it was also the day that both us said we knew we had found the One! Mat and I are so excited to be spending this day with you all and thank you so much for supporting us in our marriage and journey of becoming a family. We love you all and can't wait to celebrate soon!

Let's just start by saying that I am not a fan of surprises and Mat, well he isn't the best at keeping a secret from me. So for the few weeks before, I knew that the proposal was coming and I also knew it would be occurring during our trip to Asheville, however what I did not know is how he would be pulling it off. So Mat and I arrived in Asheville Friday, April 9th around 3pm, we checked into our hotel and began exploring around Antler Hill Village, went and grabbed pizza and beer at Asheville Brewing Company (so very us). We then headed back to the hotel to regroup and decide what to do for the night. It had been raining on and off all afternoon and was scheduled to pour down all day Saturday. As we were getting ready to head out for some drinks, Mat starts acting suspecious, note he had been off all day, he then turns to me and says “well if we are going out you probably need some new jewlery to wear,” and proceded to ask me to marry him. I was hugging him so hard the poor guy couldn’t even kneel down to ask and told me I was basicslly strangling him. Was it the proposal he planned? Not at all. Was is perfectly us? Absolutely. Bless him for keeping his nerves in check and making it as long as he did Friday before asking, he was completely ready. The ring is absolutely stunning and he did an amazing job and picking the perfect setting to hold my Mamaw’s diamond. This ring is not only my something new, but also my something old. It means more than words and to be proposed to with it by the most amazing man I know would make my Mamaw so proud.