Let’s Party!

We met in 2015 at California Baptist University through mutual friends, but never really talked or hung out. Fast forward to our final year in college. We had stayed acquaintances, both pursing minors in the arts. A required class - Art and the Bible - brought our friendship together through boring lectures (and watching movies like Coco and Moana on Annabelle's laptop) and take-home tests. Toward the end of the semester, Mattie told Annabelle, "It's crazy because we've lived on the same campus for 4 years and we've never even hung out!" and Annabelle replied, "You live on campus??" to which Mattie then dramatically stated, "See!? You know we'll never see each other again after we graduate." Annabelle responded, "What? That's not true..." and Annabelle hates being wrong. So she proved him wrong and married him! ;) After that conversation, Mattie and Belle didn't really talk or see each other as Belle moved to China to teach, and subsequently got stranded in Australia for 6 months. It's 2020 and peak Covid when Belle would post about how she craved the American Staple of Olive Garden's Unlimited Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks, and a certain Olive Garden employee named Matthew Medina slid into Annabelle's DMs letting her know he'd take her when she returned. When Annabelle moved back to California, she and Mattie started planning when he'd make good on his promise. By the time they met up, the promised Olive Garden had upgraded to Starbucks. With many free drinks in hand, Mattie came over for a series of movie nights with Belle (and her roommate Abbie), and the two stayed up until 5:00AM just talking, laughing, and sharing about our lives. Annabelle always states that from the first time they hung out, she had never felt so safe. Matt is so fun, easy-going, and care-free; she never thought or expected anything romantic to happen with this easy, breezy guy. But in April of 2021, they hung out once and literally never stopped seeing each other. It was so easy to be together, and they never get tired of each other - even now! (At least that's what Belle thinks lol.) It has been the honor of a lifetime to grow as humans, friends, and partners with such an amazing teammate. Mattie's dreamy, airy spirit and Belle's down-to-earth heart balance each other perfectly. With each day spent together, we fall deeper and deeper in love. At the end of a long day, there is nothing more exciting and comforting than the warm embrace and presence of our love. We lift each other up, support each other's needs, and do all we can to help and care for each other. Every day, from the very beginning, has been exciting, adventurous, and full, while also bringing peace, calm, and comfort. Mattie is made of tender care and consideration. Belle is made of [Mattie, insert descriptions here]. We are blessed that God brought us together, blessed to be loved by each other, and blessed to be loved and supported by so many. Thank you for reading this, and we are thrilled to celebrate with you soon. Thanks for going on this journey with us - in story and in life. Never a dull moment with the newest Medinas!