Glory to God for all things

..Matthew and Laurel really talked was at a wedding reception last fall. Laurel was in line for hors d'oeuvres when Matthew came and began talking to her. Neither party knew that the conversation would continue for three hours, and would only end with the two dancing together (despite Matthew's firm resolve he does not dance). Something really special had transpired between the two at that event and a week afterwards, Matthew wrote to Laurel expressing his interest in getting to know her. This would be the first letter of many to come throughout their journey of getting to know one another. A week following the letter he asked her out. Though hesitant and unsure, Laurel wanted to get to know Matthew better, and eventually agreed to a series of discussions (Matthew is fond of calling these instances "dates" though Laurel was stubbornly against this label) where the two got to know and respect each other deeply. Valentines Day was their first official date together, with both enthusiastically calling it the same name.

Matthew flew Laurel down with him to Sonora, CA Memorial Day weekend. The couple had never spent time together with the Ramos family, so this was a momentous occasion. They arrived Thursday afternoon and got to hang out with Laurel's dad before driving back and spending the night with the rest of the family. The next morning the two packed up a nice lunch and some wine, and started the two hour ascent to Yosemite National Park. They spent the long drive talking about their future and their dreams, and continued to talk about their lives together as they hiked and walked. An hour before sunset they made it to Glacier Point, where they sat sipping wine and drinking in the majesty of the Sierra Nevada mountain peaks. As the sun was setting across Half Dome, Laurel took one last long look at the surreal scenery before turning around to start heading back. Waiting for her was Matthew, down on one knee with the most beautiful ring she had ever seen! He asked for her hand in marriage, and Laurel tearfully and ecstatically said yes. It was pure joy. When they finally made it back down to Sonora, Laurel's family was waiting with champagne, cake, and a bonfire to celebrate. They flew back up after spending the rest of memorial weekend happily bonding with the Ramos family and sharing the great news with everyone else!