Matt was always the cute older guy at Stanislaus County 4-H Camp in Pinecrest, California. Being 4 years older than Mary, Matt was always a different step on the ladder (Mary was a camper, Matt was a counselor. Mary was a counselor, Matt was a staff member). At camp in June 2019, Matt had convinced Mary to return to camp as a staff member - where Matt was the director, and Mary was now an assistant director. Matt says he saw her at different highs and lows - and still liked what he saw. After camp, Matt asked her to grab a beer. Mary was confused, but obliged. He then asked her out on a date, and the rest is history!

Matt & Mary had JUST completed a 25-mile backpacking trip in Yosemite National Park with friends Ryan and Rachel Kracaw on Sunday. The previous evening, the group enjoyed dinner and an overnight stay at the historic Wawona Hotel. Monday morning - they woke up, had breakfast, then drove to where they had left one of the cars at the top of the backpacking trailhead where they started. Matt mentioned going to Glacier Point, since the group had never been and it was just another few minutes past where the trailhead was (where they were headed to pick up the car). They arrived at the Glacier Point parking lot and worked their way to the viewpoint. Matt & Mary stood at the top, looking over Yosemite Valley and pointing out different features. Mary thought to herself "Wow, this would be a really pretty spot for a proposal." Ironic right? Matt says to Mary - "Come read this plaque with me." Mary thought - "Weird, he doesn't ask me to read with him..." Matt then doesn't take long to read the plaque, begins to jump the chest-high fence, and says to Mary "come jump this fence with me." Mary thinks, "What the heck, Matt never jumps fences, but alright...." Matt gives Mary a hand over the fence. Matt then says "come over to the edge with me." Mary thinks "also weird, but alright." Mary walks over and Matt gives her a big hug. Mary spots a cool lizard on a dead tree a couple of feet away, which prompts her to pull out her phone and begin taking photos. She turns to show Matt the photos...and finds him down on one knee! "Wanna hang out forever?" *she nods a lot* "Yeah!" *photographers pop out of the bush, the folks nearby clap, and Matt puts the ring on Mary's finger. Matt planned the PERFECT day - complete with a spacer to place on the ring to make sure it fit, photographers hiding in the bushes, coordinated flying in Mary's best friend (who met the couple in Mariposa for lunch), and had an engagement party with family waiting for us at home.