Let’s Boogie into Forever

Once upon a time on Tinder, Liz and Mateo swiped right on each other, and destiny took it from there. Liz's profile boldly stated she was looking for someone to boogie with, and Mateo proudly claimed the title of raver. Despite her friend's caution about him being “just another guy who loved to party,” Liz took a leap of faith and agreed to a date. (Good thing she didn’t listen to her!) They met at Tom Bergen’s Irish Pub and clicked instantly, bonding over their shared love of the festivals and music. Liz sensed something was different with Mateo when she found herself genuinely enjoying their text conversations between dates. The real magic happened at Lightning in a Bottle 2016, where they discovered they were both attending with different crews. This was the perfect opportunity for their worlds to collide. That unforgettable weekend was filled with signs of a long-term love; they easily fit into each other’s friend groups and were surprised to find mutual friends. As the weekend wrapped up, with Big Gigantic playing in the background, one of Mateo’s best friends pulled Liz aside to make sure she knew just how special Mateo is. Simultaneously, Liz’s friend approached Mateo to emphasize how truly special Liz is. They both knew this was the start of something deep and spectacular. Just a week after that epic festival, they made it official. Their relationship flourished as they spent years embarking on adventures, worshipping their cat, and learning what it means to be a team. In 2019, they took it to the next level by moving in together. Little did they know the biggest test was awaiting them. Living in a one-bedroom apartment through 2020's lockdown was tough, but ultimately, it only brought them closer. Over the years, they navigated career changes, health challenges, and everything in between, supporting each other through it all. Then came April 2024. In the beautiful USC Rose Garden, Mateo got down on one knee and asked Liz to link their lives together FOREVER. It was a resounding yes—both knew they had found their life partner. In the fall, they celebrated eight years together by seeing Big Gigantic again at the Same Same But Different festival—now engaged and ready to dance into their next phase of life together!