Taylor and Matt first met at Springfield College on Accepted Students Day! During the tour of the place they'd call home for the next 6 years, each new student was given a folder titled "Keep This Folder". They were told not to lose it - it was necessary to sign up for freshman classes. That day, Taylor and Matt were put into the same group to make their schedules. Everyone was asked to take out their "Keep This Folder". Matt gave a deer in the headlights look, "I think I gave my folder to my mom", he said. Taylor laughed, little did she know this was the first of a lifetime of laughs she'd share with Matt. She was unable to resist his big blue eyes and let Matt share her folder. It worked in her favor - because of this, they ended up with the same schedule their freshman year. After the tour, they both traveled back to their home states - Troy, NY for Taylor and Portland, CT for Matthew - thrilled to begin their new journey at college. Taylor and Matthew rekindled their friendship at "Pre-Camp" a week before Freshmen year. They camped out in the woods with other fellow new classmates and did team building and leadership exercises. During an icebreaker, Taylor’s fun fact was being the eldest of 5 girls. Matt's fun fact was being able to spontaneously blow smoke out of his mouth- without the need to smoke anything. Taylor was wowed by this! (if you're lucky he may show off this party trick at the wedding!) It was also during Pre-Camp that Matt nicknamed Taylor… “TLock”. Throughout their undergraduate semesters, they often studied together, reminded one another of upcoming tests and assignments, and even went to a few social gatherings. During the Fall of 2013, they shared their first kiss at the legendary wiffle-ball house. But this would be their last kiss for a few years, as they referred to that night's smooch as just a “friendly-kiss”. They remained close friends from 2013-2017, both graduating with a Bachelor of Science at Springfield College. Their journey did not end there. They started their graduate studies in PA school at Springfield College. Their studies intensified, as did their relationship. In the winter of 2018, at the local watering hole, “Paddy’s Irish Pub” in Springfield, MA, Taylor caught Matt staring oddly long at her. She grabbed his hand, brought him into the ladies room, and confronted him for his prolonged eye contact. He confessed! He liked her more than friends! But before he could finish admitting his love for her, he was dragged out by a bouncer for being in the ladies room! During the Spring of 2018, Matt said “I love you” on the top of Mount Tom in Holyoke, MA. On 4/4/18, Taylor and Matthew became an official couple. "TLock" was now Taylor, finally out of the friend-zone! After graduating from Springfield College in 2019, both with a Masters in Science and Physician Assistant Studies, their relationship continued. They moved in together in Connecticut and became proud dog parents to their sweet Golden Retriever, Hurley (named after the great Dan Hurley). They both continue to work in the Emergency Department- Taylor at Midstate Medical Center and Matt at Hartford Hospital. They have enjoyed traveling together, skiing in VT, attending UConn basketball games & vacationing with family in Cape Cod, Long Beach Island and out West to Arizona, Utah and Nevada. After four years of dating, Matt decided to pop the question at Hammonasset Beach in Madison CT, surprising Taylor with the presence of both of their families. Shortly after, they travelled to Italy, on their “engagement-moon”, where they enjoyed some of their favorite things - wine & pizza. After 11 years of friendship to life-long partners, they will tie the knot in Brookfield, CT.