Matt and Kristen first met in January 2017. Their first date was at Le Cave de Vin, a basement wine bar in Cleveland Heights. Over a bottle of wine, they instantly found that they shared many of the same interests including traveling, the great outdoors, hiking, camping, backyard BBQs, dogs, pizza, and coffee. They enjoyed their first date so much, that they decided to hang out the following two days for a dog walk at Shaker Lakes and ice cream at Mitchell’s. Kristen was quickly drawn to Matt's kind disposition and his ability to see beauty in all things, including sidewalk pavers. Matt loved Kristen's adventurous spirit and her authenticity. Matt quickly became best friends with Kristen’s golden retriever Finn, who has been a constant source of joy and companionship in their relationship. Kristen, who is a semi-professional traveler and vacation planner, first knew Matt was the one when he invited her to travel with him to Alaska to backcountry camp in Denali National Park in the summer of 2017. After two years of dating, Matt popped the question in March 2019 on a rainy hike in Cuyahoga Valley National Park at Brandywine Falls. She emphatically said “Duh!” Matt and Kristen planned the wedding of their dreams at the beautiful Bellwether Farm and then canceled those plans. Twice. Thanks, global pandemic. Love lives on and Kristen and Matt will get married with their parents, siblings, and grandmothers present in September and hope to plan a reception to celebrate with everyone once there is a vaccine or it is safe.