Madelyn first laid eyes on Matthew when he presented a talk for a campus ministry night. She thought he was cute, but they didn't meet that night. They first got to know each other at a BBQ for a summer bible study. Matthew showed up a little late because he was coming from his internship at Qualcomm, but he made up for it with how handsome he looked in his business casual outfit. In the weeks that followed, there always seemed to be an empty seat next to Madelyn that Matthew always seemed to take...

After a few weeks of hanging out on campus, Matthew picked Madelyn up in his family's big Honda Pilot for their first official date. He met her downstairs from the Keeling Apartments in Revelle and brought her yellow carnations. They got a little lost on the way to the restaurant because Matthew thought it was in UTC, when it was a block over. They were the only two people in the Italian restaurant (that has since closed). After eating dinner, they were both too full for dessert, but neither of them was ready to head home yet. They drove around without a destination in mind just so that they could keep talking. Somehow, they ended up at Mount Soledad. Madelyn and Matthew spent the rest of the evening talking, all while hand in hand.

After a long year doing the international long distance thing (more like painfully apart), Matthew and Madelyn were excited to celebrate their anniversary together in-person. He picked her up and took her to lunch in Del Mar, where they walked around and enjoyed each other's company. Eventually, they went for a drive and ended up at Mount Soledad. After sitting together and looking out over San Diego, Matthew pulled her to stand up. He said he had something to ask her. Matthew got on one knee and said, "Madelyn, I love you so much and I can't wait to cherish you for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?" It was the easiest yes ever!