Mindy’s sister hosted a small brunch since we all had the day off from work. Some family and friends were invited. Our friend Chaz brought a friend along, Matt. Matt knew Mindy’s family already but hadn’t met Mindy until now. Since our little brunches usually consisted of absolute comfort, there was no makeup involved and Mindy wore her pajamas. “It’s only family and close friends” she thought. Mindy walks in, barely awake and her first thought was “Oh no who’s this? I look like I just rolled out of bed!” Mindy instantly thought Matt was handsome and very smiley, already a great sign. Matt thought Mindy was quiet and giggled a lot but thought she looked great with no makeup. (Sure) After that, Mindy wanted to see him again and made sure Chaz kept him involved in future events. Matt wasn’t one to take the initiative so Mindy got his number from Chaz and invited him to a “Beer and Brats gathering” which wasn’t until the end of April. Matt agreed and said he’d bring ice cream! Then of course COVID happened and the world stopped. What would she do now?? How do you get to know someone as friends if you can’t see them? Mindy invited Matt to a Zoom game night which replaced the Beer and Brats gathering. Matt canceled. After another attempt, Mindy thought he must not be interested and decided to let it go. The following Monday, May 4, 2020 Matt sent out a gif to commemorate Star Wars day which Mindy also received. Matt says his heart jumped when he added Mindy’s name to the list. Elated, Mindy quickly responded and they continued to converse throughout the day. Both realized they had many things in common, and deep conversations quickly ensued. Just in the one day of talking, both of them felt like they found someone that may be very special. Because of the circumstances of a pandemic, both agreed to try to be friends for as long as possible and limit contact which of course was very difficult. But finally, by March 6, 2021 they made it official and started dating.

By Mindy "We knew we wanted a short engagement. We were thinking about three months so I had a ballpark idea of when it might happen. I knew when he had bought the ring and what it looked like because we picked it out together. So I didn't think I'd be as surprised as I was... So we had planned a while back that my roommates and Matt and I would be going on a camping trip in Long Island. So by the middle of June I knew Matt had the ring. I thought he would ask me right away because I was ready to be engaged! But I kept waiting, and asking him when. haha I had a feeling Matt would ask me on the beach because I knew it'd be the middle of July and we already knew we wanted to get married October 3rd. So logically this would be the perfect time. But Matt kept throwing me off saying he wanted to do it the way he always wanted to ask a girl, which I didn't know. Then a few days before my roommate Mckenna wanted to do nails and watch a movie. I thought this was normal because she always wants to chill and watch a movie. I thought maybe she had a rough day and needed some girl time. I had even bought some stick on french painted nails in case he would ask me! But then Mckenna started saying she hadn't heard any plans and thought she would be included in them so she wasn't sure he would ask me. Everything Mckenna was telling me convinced me that he wasn't! (Watch out Mckenna is slick!) Matt called and all the emotions came out. Crying, I told Matt I thought he was going to ask me this weekend but he denied it and tried his best to not give anything away while trying to comfort me (the emotional mess). But I carried on. I completely took it off the table and knew we were just having a chill weekend on the beach. By Saturday we planned on going to a nice beach in the Hamptons, the beach we were going to before was very rocky and small so this made sense to me. The day was so nice and sunny. We played in the waves all day and had SO much fun! ...Story continues...

Little did I know everyone in our group was nervous and knew the plan. We all were talking about what we would do for dinner. We had all talked about getting dressed up and going to a nice restaurant to get take out and eating it on the beach. Somehow we had to end up back on the beach. Again, I thought nothing of this. Girls like dressing up for that kind of stuff and Matt wanted to go along with it. They kept asking me what I wanted to do and I don't like being indecisive so I thought we should get some Italian and eat on the beach. I didn't care what we did as long as Matt was there. So we went to a grocery store, changed in their bathroom and walked to the restaurant. Matt bought me some roses which he always does and we went and got some pizzas from a local Italian restaurant. There was a Starbucks so we got that too... We pulled up to the beach with a blanket, a candle, roses. pizza and wine. I'm thinking 'Wow this is so nice! Even though Matt's not asking me at least we have a really nice chill evening on the beach!' So we walked. The girls were already recording and taking pictures. I had no idea since I was walking in front. They were all nervous and making small talk. We finally sat down and Matt grabbed my arm to let me know he wanted me to come with him. I looked over and saw the box and was like wow it's really happening. I went over and he told me he loved me and wanted to marry me. I was so surprised and wondered if the girls knew so I looked over to see what they were thinking and they all had their phones out recording. Then Matt got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I nodded yes, I think I said yes too.. haha. He said he wasn't sure what to do or which hand so I took the ring out of the box and gave it back to him so he could put it on correctly. Hehe. We hugged and the tears flowed. I couldn't make it stop. I was so happy that I finally found an amazing man who was absolutely perfect for me and loved Jehovah exactly the same way I do."