Like so many couples these days, we met on Bumble! Matt won Emily over with his quirky questions and then asked for her number. We’d joke about “Bible study,” but eventually, life got in the way, and we stopped talking for a bit. However, on Easter Sunday 2022, Matt couldn’t stop thinking about Emily and decided to send her a message. Emily was thrilled to hear from him again, and on April 22nd, 2022, she finally agreed to meet him at St. John’s bar.

From the moment we met in person, the connection was instant. We talked for hours, and it was like we’d known each other forever. After that, Matt couldn’t wait to see Emily again, so he came over for a movie. Since then, we’ve been inseparable. Matt has met Emily’s family, who love him, and Emily has had the privilege of getting to know Matt’s children, who she loves like her own.

In 2022, we took our first trip together to Melbourne to see KISS live, ticking off a major item on Emily’s bucket list! It was an amazing experience and the start of our shared love for travel. We try to get away every few months—it’s become our special tradition. Fast forward to 2024, and we found ourselves back in Melbourne for a Blink-182 concert, a band that’s been a big part of Matt’s life since childhood. Little did Emily know that this trip was supposed to be even more unforgettable…

Matt had actually planned to propose at the concert, but the ring didn’t arrive until the day we were leaving! After holding onto it for a few days, Matt realized he couldn’t wait any longer. Originally, he thought about proposing on our anniversary in April, but by March 14th, the anticipation got the best of him.

He booked a night at The Silos Hotel and took Emily to her favorite restaurant, Sun and Moon. Emily just thought Matt was being extra sweet because she’d had a rough week at work. Matt couldn’t stop smiling through dinner, but Emily didn’t think much of it. When we got back to the hotel, Emily noticed some flowers in the room and thought it was just another thoughtful gesture from Matt. But when Matt asked her to read the card, everything changed. The card read, "To my beautiful fiancée."

Emily laughed, thinking it was a joke, until she turned around and saw Matt down on one knee with a ring in hand. Shocked, Emily said, “Wait, what?” at least 30 times! Matt asked her to marry him and, of course, she said YES!

Now, here we are, so excited for our future together. We can’t wait to share our lives with Hazel, Arlo, and maybe a few more siblings for them down the road!

E&M

Wedding Day