Peterson Wedding

Matthew had just moved to Orlando, started attending UPC (University Presbyterian Church), and wanted to help out with the Youth Group. He had met with Josh Gilman (our Officiant), the Youth Pastor at the time, to start helping out; that was the Thursday before our Fall Kick off on Sunday. Gabby, born and raised in Orlando, had attended UPC for 6 years at this point and helped out at youth group for 3 years as a high schooler and was starting her college career. Gabby was the greeter for the kick off, getting names, organizing cars before the group headed to Disney Springs for the scavenger hunt. Matthew was new and Gabby assumed he was probably a high school senior as he walked up, but he went right past Gabby as she said "Hi." She asked Josh who he was because Matthew had walked straight to him. Josh explained he was a new college student (not high school) and was going to be helping out just like her. Gabby was nervous because she knew her girls—she had been leading them since 6th grade—would play matchmaker. Later, everyone had arrived at Disney Springs and were all about done with the scavenger hunt. Most were gathered by a circle of small food places, Gabby specifically by the Haagen-Dazs. From Gabby's point of view it was a awkward introduction, and Matthew was "interviewed" by the girls. After he walked away, Gabby's girls said "YOU GUYS ARE GETTING MARRIED!" Well...guess they were right!

After church, we had planned a double date with our friends Shaylee and Cale at my favorite Thai food place, Orchid on Park Ave. As Matthew drives we are talking, and he brings up the book store we explored on our first date, which happens to be in Winter Park. The thought crosses my mind that he might propose, but I decide he is not going to. We go meet up with our friends and have a great meal, then decide to walk around. Let's go to the book store he says, and I go with it 'cause it's cute and fun. We walk down to it and he says let's sit in the shade. I turn around saying why? to see him on one knee with a fake ring which one of my girls (shout out to Kallie) had put on my finger. I proceed to believe this isn't real and slightly push him, wanting him up to hug him. I turn and see Shaylee taking pictures and Cale beaming. I turn back and realize this is probably real. Then Stephen and Lauren come out; I freak out knowing it's real (this entire time my "words" are just squeals) and Stephen walks over with the real ring. Matthew asks me to marry him a second time—the first time I didn't hear him due to my shock. And I said YA!