8.5 years ago, Matthew messaged Candice on Facebook, "Hi, I'm Matt, tell me about yourself". He found her in a Disney group, as both had previously worked for the company; him at Walt Disney World and her at Disneyland (DCA). Candice was not interested in long-distance. He was living in Florida at the time, and she was in Illinois. Matthew didn't give up and asked if they could talk as friends and get to know each other. Both talked non-stop and decided to try a long-distance relationship. A month later, Candice flew to Orlando to meet him. Their first date was at The Loop Kissimmee for lunch at Johnny Rockets then seeing Star Wars: The Last Jedi on 1/19/18. When Matthew wasn't working at Disney's Beach Club that weekend, they went to Disney Springs, bowled at Splitsville, walked the Board Walk, hung out at the Beach Club and Wilderness Resort, and went to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Their very first attraction together was the Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland. It was Candice’s first time seeing it. At the end of the night, they watched the newest firework show; Happily Ever After. The night ended with a photo in front of the castle. The weekend was a success. Over the next few years, Matthew and Candice continued their long-distance relationship. Both travelled back and forth from Illinois to Florida. At the end of 2018, Matthew left Disney to pursue a career as a Flight Attendant for Spirit Airlines. Having travel benefits and adding Candice as his companion, both started meeting up in different states and traveling together. In April 2020, they decided long distance was getting old and Candice’s job went remote. Candice and Matthew moved into an apartment together in Altamonte Springs, Florida with their cat Thor. Thor was getting lonely and they wanted a second cat. A woman nearby was taking care of some kittens that were found in her neighbor's truck engine. Luckily, all four kittens were safe and needed a home. Candice picked the runt of the litter and Matthew named her Bella. Their little family was complete. At the end of 2022, Matthew left Spirit for Southwest Airlines. This meant he would no longer be based in Orlando, but instead Denver. The commute was hard from Florida to Denver. After a few months, Chicago Midway had openings. Both made the decision to move to Illinois. Matthew’s reasoning was that he wanted four seasons and Candice's was to be closer to family. In April 2023, they left Florida with both cats and her dad driving the UHaul. Fast forward to October 2025, Matthew booked a cruise on the Disney Magic. Candice’s parents joined. On October 2nd, they flew to Orlando and checked into the All-Star Movies Resort, went to Disney Springs, and ate dinner at Whispering Canyon. The trip started with a literal bang as the Disney bus they were on hit a Mears Coach bus while leaving the resort on its way to Disney Springs. The next day they boarded the Disney Magic. Candice and her mom got seasick. They took Dramamine. They didn’t get sick the rest of the trip, but the waves were rough every night. The day after that they went to Castaway Cay; Disney’s private island. Matthew didn't put on sunblock and got burnt on his face. Although Candice kept reapplying sunblock, she got heat rash on hers. On the 3rd day, their waiter said Firework night was the next night which was incorrect. Matthew was worried and trying to make sure nothing changed. Nothing had changed, so on the 5th day, October 6th, after visiting Disney’s Island, Lighthouse Point, Matthew proposed to Candice during the Fireworks on board. Her dad joked that Matthew is normally loud, but he was quiet while proposing. He proposed with the Ariel ring from the Disney Enchanted Collection that has a secret clam shell under the diamond. The proposal was perfect and made up for all the things that happened on the trip. They booked their first venue tour to Fishermen's Inn on 10/31/25 and are getting married 10/30/26.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CfHmvujAgi-0btDwIMHp1zHEs0TuvELz/view?usp=drive_link