We’re getting married!

Crystal’s memory: After work on a Friday I met up with a friend to go to the Margarita and Salsa Festival on a last minute decision from me. Just as we sat our outdoor chairs next to her friends they decided they wanted to move closer. We grab our chairs and I see this guy (Matt) struggling to carry his outdoor chair and two beers. I noticed that his friend wasn’t helping him so I walk up to him and said “Can I help you with anything?” He looked up at me and smiled. Handing me one of his beers he said, “Yes, can you hold this for me please?” He introduced himself as we sat down, “Hi, my name is Matt” I smile and said “I’m Crystal, where are you from?” (I heard an accent) He said “I’m from a little town in East Texas called Center” I said you’re from “Sinner??” He enunciated slowly “No, Cen-Ter.” Shaking his hand I said “Well alright then Matt from Center, Texas it’s nice to meet you.” When the concert was coming to an end, Matt asked for my number. We both didn't have a pen and paper and I don't know why, but we didn't get our cell phone's out at the time, but I told him my number verbally. I hadn’t made it to my car yet and he had already called me twice. When I made it to my car I returned his calls. He immediately answers and asks me to meet him somewhere. I didn’t wanna go to a bar so the only other place that came to mind was IHOP because it was late. I had a curfew since I was living with my parents at the time- I called my dad, left a voicemail telling him that I was staying out an hour later and that I was going to IHOP. Matt and I sat down to and began looking at the menu…he looks up at me and says “Hey, you get anything you want.” (LOL) When we were getting ready to leave he leaned in for a kiss. Yes, our first kiss was in the parking lot at IHOP in Waco.

One Saturday Malia and I were coming back upstairs from the pool at the apartment and while I was changing from my bathing suit to "normal clothes" Malia walked in to the room with her hands behind her back. I said “What are you hiding?” “Nothing” she said, while swaying side to side. Matt walked in behind her and he gave her a head nod. She pulled out a tiny box and opened it exposing the ring. She sweetly asked, “Will you marry me?” I smiled down at her and looked at Matt. He chuckled and said “no me” He got down on one knee and said “Baby, I love you. This isn’t how I originally wanted to do this..Will you marry me?” “Yes Love, of course I’ll marry you!”