Matt and Emily officially met on Thanksgiving Eve of 2014 at a dinner hosted by Sarah (Emily's best friend) and Dan (Matt's brother). They really got to know each other at Sarah and Dan's wedding the following June. The sparks flew when Matt whisked Emily onto the dance floor at the end of the night during Darius Rucker's Wagon Wheel. And so it began. At the time they were living in different states, so for the next year, they talked on and off and went to weddings together. A lot of weddings. On May 14, 2016 after Jennie and Nick Kempland's wedding, Matt and Emily decided to make it official and become a couple.

Matt and Emily had been dating for a little over three and a half years. While they had discussed a future together, Matt wanted the proposal to be a surprise. On Friday December 20, 2019, Matt texted Emily, "Wanna get dinner tonight?" It seemed like the perfect end to a busy week for both of them. Little did she know, there was more to this casual dinner invite than expected. Matt said he "happened to get a reservation" at their favorite restaurant, Trattoria Marcella. They ordered all of their favorites: steamed mussels, pappardelle bolognese, tiramisu, and some delicious wine. It was a perfect evening. Back at his apartment, Matt told Emily "I love you a lot. I've got a question for you." He got down on one knee and said, "Will you marry me?" Emily replied, "Yes! Of course!" Matt completely surprised Emily with the proposal!