Lets go back to August 2018…
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We first met when I found Alexa’s wallet on the 6 bus heading home from classes while we were attending Indiana University. Neither of us were supposed to be on that particular bus (for different reasons) and I even almost gave her wallet to the bus driver before realizing I could just drop it off to her one stop away. I also recognized her last name because I used to have her brother in my FIFA Ultimate Team. And he is now my best man.
Small world, right?
We were friends for about a month, getting to know one another, before our first date at Feast in Bloomington, IN. Sadly, Feast is no longer in business, but we look back on that day – and those coffees – with so much gratitude.
The summer of 2019 was big for us. I spent it interning at FC Dallas, and Alexa traveled around the country shooting a commercial for Subaru and helping rescue dogs find their adoptive homes all at the same time. Her commitment and selflessness never cease to amaze me. And we thought, after that, we’d be done with long distance. And then COVID hit.
After spending most of the year apart, we agreed: long distance is silly. So, in 2021, we moved in together. Best decision we ever made. While Alexa finished up her degree that year, we started to plan for the big move out to California after she graduated.
Now, up until Alexa came into my life, the furthest West I’d been was Chicago. But, after traveling across the country in the summer of 2021 – we made a pit stops along the way and spent a night at Zion National Park to celebrate her birthday – we found ourselves in North Hollywood. This was the first of a few places we’ve been lucky enough to call home in the beautiful city of Los Angeles, and we shared it with our wonderful friend Julia, who you will find officiating our wedding in January.
We are now coming up on four years of living here, and while I knew since our first date she was always the one I would ask to marry me, the serious proposal planning started about a year and a half ago. I knew Alexa didn’t want a proposal anywhere in public. In fact, the fewest number of eyes would be ideal. But I also knew, she wanted to be surrounded by the people she loves.
This was a serious conundrum.
With the help of her family and friends (thank you all for your guidance, patience, love, and storage space) I not-so-sneakily led her to believe we were just going to dinner for our anniversary. But really, I secured a house in the nearby hills overlooking the city and, with all of the aforementioned people waiting in the wings, Alexa and I walked in together and got down on one knee. We closed out the best day off our lives (so far) with tears, love, and laughter.
There are so many more people, places, and memories that make up the fabric of our relationship, and we can’t wait to celebrate our day with all of you, looking back on those memories together, while dancing to the ones yet to be made.
We’ll see you there :)
- Matt & Alexa -
and the rest is history.
