We first met (as we can best recall) in early 2022. Alyssa became fast friends with Matt's best friend since childhood, Jody, shortly after moving to Knoxville. However, at this time our meeting was platonic; the timing wasn't quite right yet. We would cross paths here and there over the next couple of years. Fast-forward to early September 2023, once again Jody brought a group of friends together. The two of us would find ourselves talking to each other the entire evening, and the seeds of our relationship were planted. This day would later be referred to as our "re-meet-iversary." Following one more group hangout (orchestrated solely for the two of us to see each other again), we would finally schedule our first date at Xul. Over the next two years of dating (including, but not limited to: dog parks, skiing, running, study dates, traveling, running some more), we would realize we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. On October 12, 2025 (one day after our two-year anniversary), Matt proposed to Alyssa (spoiler: she said yes). The plan was for a beautiful beach sunset, but life rarely goes according to plan. The reality was a cloudy, rainy, windy, grey evening. You can take the girl out of Washington, but the rain will follow apparently. We are excited to continue our story and get married on our three-year anniversary!