We are getting Married!

It was a crisp fall evening in Missouri when the stars aligned on the internet. Matt downloaded the infamous dating app to attempt to prove a friend wrong after the friend declared, "there are no nice girls to meet online!" Chloe re-downloaded the app for about the tenth time in secret after telling Adalie she was a taking dating hiatus. After a few swipes, the two matched. Fast forward a few weeks, they finally decided to meet for a beer. Chloe tried on just about her whole closet. Matt told his friends at Fort Leonard Wood he would see them later for burger night, he just needed to run a few errands. Little did his friends know, they wouldn't be seeing him an hour later as he promised. One beer turned into a whole evening of conversation and laughter while hopping through the local bars and pubs. When Matt was in the bathroom she secretly texted her friends, "I am going to marry this man." The rest is history.

Matt and Chloe visited the Big Island of Hawaii, a gift from Matt for Chloe's birthday and graduation from her master's degree. They visited a beautiful Kona coffee farm, breathtaking beaches, and the awe-inspiring Volcanoes National Park. On the second-to-last day, Matt was determined to go to the top of Mauna Kea, the tallest point (a volcano) in all of Hawaii. Chloe was less-than-thrilled, for fear of altitude sickness. Despite her concerns, Chloe survived the trip up-- only to come face-to-face with another obstacle: agreeing on directions to the sunset hike. Chloe suggested they take the trail everyone else was taking, while Matt was determined the vacant path might have a better view. After bickering back and forth, Chloe got her way. The top of the hike was surrounded by fluffy clouds and a colorful sunset (the other trail is yet to have been discovered, so who knows, maybe that view was better). Once at the top, Matt offered to take a picture for a couple struggling to take a selfie. He snapped a few pictures and the girl proclaimed, "Wow, look how beautiful your girlfriend looks with all of the clouds around her! Take a picture!" Matt realized this was the perfect opportunity. He gave the girl his phone and she snapped a few shots. Suddenly, Matt got down on one knee. Chloe, thinking he was teasing her whispered, "Don't do this here! Are you serious?" Matt nodded his head yes, but Chloe continued to ask if he was serious about five more times. Finally, she said yes and slipped the ring on her finger. It was perfect.