Back in August 2010, Matt and Leila first crossed paths in high school, both involved in the band, though at different ends of their high school journey. Leila was just starting out as a freshman, and Matt was navigating his senior year. They barely spoke to each other then, not knowing that fate had much more in store for them. It wasn't until 2014 that their paths really intertwined. They found themselves working together at a winter percussion program at Stamford High School. With few familiar faces around, they naturally started talking and getting to know each other. What kick-started their connection, oddly enough, was the game Trivia Crack. It was through the game's messaging feature that they began to communicate outside of face-to-face conversations, long before exchanging phone numbers. Their friendship took a sweet turn when Matt decided to share a corn cookie from Milk Bar with Leila. Back then, Milk Bar wasn't the phenomenon it is today, and that cookie was a bit of an odd but delicious treat. It was meant as a simple gesture, but it ended up being a moment they both cherish, marking the beginning of their shared love for food. Trying new restaurants, cooking for each other, and savoring food together became a big part of their relationship. After the percussion season ended, they started dating, eventually moving in together. Eight years flew by in what felt like a blink, filled with countless meals and memories, leading up to the moment Matt proposed.

After a few months of seeing each other at rehearsals and bonding over games of Trivia Crack, Leila came to New York to visit Matt. Over bowls of noodles in a cozy, un-air-conditioned Ramen restaurant in the East Village, they began the first night of the next chapter of their lives together. When it came time to take their relationship to the next level, Matt once again took Leila to that tiny ramen shop that had become special to them. On her birthday, and amidst memories of their first date, he got down on one knee and asked, "Leila Polo, will you marry me?" Leila's response was pure and unfiltered — a perfect encapsulation of their relationship: "Yeah, obviously!" Her eyes sparkled brighter than the ring as she pulled Matt in for a kiss, sealing their engagement with a mix of joy and laughter. But their night of celebration wasn't over — and neither was the universe's sense of humor. In his haste to share their joyous news with friends and family, Matt fumbled with his phone while on a visit to the restroom, accidentally sending Leila's wallet for an impromptu swim in the restaurant's toilet. Yet, in true Leila fashion, she met the mishap with a chortle rather than a groan. After all, what's a little waterlogged wallet in the face of eternal love? And so, with damp wallet and hearts full of promise, Matt and Leila stepped out into the New York night, ready to begin their greatest adventure yet — together.