September 2014 | University of Wisconsin - River Falls Liz started college. Cody Vander Heyden (Matt's Cousin) moved in next door. They became inseparable, and soon, Liz was pretty much family. September 23, 2017 | Isle, MN Tommy Vander Heyden and Stacy Harlander's wedding. Liz attends the wedding, along with Cody; and met Linda (Matt's mom). Linda brings up that she has a son that would be perfect for Liz and shows her a picture of Matt. Liz says that he is cute, but she is not interested in dating right now. October 6, 2017 | River Falls, MN Cody wanted to go to a Haunted Hayride in Wyoming, MN with a boy she liked, but she didn't want to go alone. She offered to invite her cousin, Matt, so it would be like a double date. Liz agreed, and so did Matt, after some convincing from Linda.

February 21, 2021 | Hastings, MN Picture this. It was a nice Sunday morning. Matt asks Liz if she wants to take Duke, their dog, for a walk at Schaar's Bluff; nothing unusual there. Matt tells Liz to look nice. A little weird, but she thought nothing of it. They arrive at the park and start walking the trails. Matt asks Liz "Are your rings cold.....I mean fingers..." que laughter from both of us. That pretty much gave it away. A little further down the path is a lookout, to see over the water. They both went out and looked, but Duke was scared of the grated floor, so they had to leave the lookout. At that moment, Matt stopped and stated, "I have a question for you!" Liz turned around and he was on one knee. He asked the question, but when he went to open the box, it was upside down. (This is extra funny because Liz's dad, Randy, made the same mistake when proposing to Liz's mom, Jodi, except when Randy did it, the ring fell out of the box). 😂 Well Liz said yes, and the rest....is history!