Matthew and Heather’s story began long before either of them knew it would become a love story. Back in 2005, they were both kindergarteners at Willow Glen Elementary. Their moms, Linda and Julie, volunteered together as classroom art docents, teaching arts and crafts and helping create some of their kids’ earliest memories. With three children each around the same ages, the two families quickly became close, often trading off childcare and spending time together outside of school. As the years went on, their families stayed connected, especially through Matthew’s sister Natalie and Heather’s sister Heidi, who became inseparable best friends. Because of this, Matthew and Heather were always part of each other’s lives in one way or another. Then came the summer of 2019. Just weeks before graduating high school, Matthew and Heather reconnected, and what started as spending time together quickly turned into something much bigger. June 10th, 2019 was the day Matthew asked Heather to be his girlfriend under the most beautiful sunset sky, the beginning of a relationship they both knew was special from the start. That summer was filled with sunshine, beach days, sunsets, campfires, stargazing, and long conversations where they learned everything about each other. Somewhere between all of those late nights and adventures, they realized they were planning a future together. At the end of the summer, they headed off to college. Heather went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Matthew first attended the University of Nevada, Reno before later transferring to San Jose State University. This began four years of long distance. They made countless trips up and down Highway 101 just to spend weekends together, proving that no amount of distance could keep them apart for long. Through every season of life, Matthew and Heather have grown up side by side, encouraging one another, celebrating accomplishments together, and always bringing out the best in each other. Today, they love spending time cooking, doing crafts, beekeeping, and hosting friends and family. One of their favorite traditions is visiting Lake Tahoe, a special place that also honors where Matthew’s parents’ story began. On January 17th, 2026, Matthew proposed to Heather at beautiful Chimney Rock Beach in Point Reyes, followed by a weekend getaway in Napa. While the proposal itself wasn’t exactly a surprise, Heather asks far too many questions to be completely surprised, let alone “kidnapped” for a secret weekend trip, the breathtaking location absolutely was. Standing together overlooking the ocean, it was the easiest “yes” of Heather’s life. After seven years together, Matthew and Heather feel incredibly lucky to be marrying not only the love of their life, but also someone who has been part of their story from the very beginning. Some love stories are unexpected. Theirs was years in the making.