Sometimes the best things happen when you least expect it—just ask Skylar and Matt! Their story began in the fall of 2021 when they met online in Biloxi, Mississippi, at the start of Skylar's PGY-1 pharmacy residency at the Biloxi VA and Matt's Air Force assignment as a Family Physician at Keesler AFB. Skylar, a Kenner, LA native, and Matt, from Clarion, PA, quickly bonded over ice cream—not once, but twice—before their first official date at the Peter Anderson Arts Festival in Ocean Springs, MS. It didn’t take long for them to realize they had something special, and even Sadie, Skylar's sweet Cavapoo, gave Matt her paw of approval. In January 2022, Matt was unexpectedly deployed to the Middle East for six months, and their relationship faced its first big challenge. But despite the time difference and miles between them, Skylar and Matt stayed close through daily FaceTime calls and heartfelt conversations. By May, Matt officially asked Skylar to be his girlfriend, and when he returned to Biloxi in July, they picked up right where they left off. They began making many memories with good food, concerts, weddings, beach trips, and eventually, Skylar’s favorite—Disney World! In March 2024, Skylar accepted a dream clinical pharmacy position at the New Orleans VA and moved back to Kenner, while Matt stayed in Biloxi, ready to tackle their second round of long-distance dating. They have made the most of weekend visits and celebrate every moment together. In May, Matt’s promotion to Major brought both families together in Biloxi for a memorable celebration. The following evening, after getting a “Christmas card photo" at the Ocean Springs beach with Matt's parents, Matt convinced Skylar to take a walk down the beach to pass the time before dinner. Despite some reluctance, Skylar soon spotted a beach picnic setup with glowing “Marry Me” letters. Matt got down on one knee and asked Skylar to marry him. Her joyful “yes” was met with cheers from their families, who were hiding nearby and ready to celebrate! Since then, Skylar and Matt have been busy with wedding planning, house renovations, and balancing long-distance in addition to their day jobs. They recently bought a house in River Ridge, LA, and are deep into renovations with plans to move in by early 2025. Though the journey has been filled with excitement and a bit of chaos, they are beyond thrilled to finally tie the knot on October 18th, 2025, surrounded by family and friends!