All I can say is WOW. My heart is so full and just overcome with love. When Matt and I went on our first date he told me he really was just wanting to take things slow and he did not plan on anything being super serious for a long time. By the end of that night we were already planning another date for the following evening! I believe we went on four dates that very same week and ended up sitting in the car following them until four in the morning just talking about any- and everything. I was absolutely head over heels.
At the time I was still in nursing school with a few semesters left. So many nights Matt would come over and sit next to me on my bed and just watch Youtube videos while I studied so he could be with me. Sometimes he would even help me study. He can hear something once and remember all of the fine details which was so annoying to me as I would sit there and read/reread for hours waiting for my brain to make the information click. Just ask him about what can happen in children if the father conceives at an older age…
I don’t remember at what point in my mind I said he is the one, but I know it didn’t take long. Matt is a person that won’t show you his loving side unless you are one of his people. Getting to know a side of him that not everyone gets to see is amazing in a way I don’t exactly know how to describe. It fills my heart because I know without a doubt that his love for me is genuine.
To get me out of the house and away from studying, Matt would drag me away from the books and to the river for a walk. It became our thing. Enjoying the sunset, the breeze, and people quickly turned into the escape I so looked forward to on a regular basis! Friday, April 16th was no different. Matt told me we were going on a date and the location was a surprise, but we were going to leave early to walk by the river some before dinner! I was excited because my work schedule had prevented us from going on a date for a while.
Before we left mom had us pose for pictures and I am so thankful she did, because those would be our last photos as boyfriend/girlfriend! When we got in the car to leave, I saw mom give Matt a smile with a knowing look so I thought maybe he made a dirty joke – which he loves to do to make mom uncomfortable. I asked him what he did to my mom and he just looked at me and said, “I just told her something,” and dropped it so I didn’t think anything of it. When he started backing out of the driveway he goes, “Oh we’re going to Little Village by the way! I couldn’t keep it from you anymore.” DEAD. He is terrible at keeping secrets from me.
It had been storming all day, so I wasn’t too hopeful about getting to walk along the river, but the rain broke long enough for it to be possible. When we got up to the levee we saw a river cruise ship had docked next to this platform, which we had never seen before! While we were walking Matt made a comment about hoping the rain would hold off, so I asked him if he wanted to turn and go back to the car so it wouldn’t bottom out on us. Of course he said no and took a few more steps when he asked me how much I loved him and if I loved him enough to marry him. I was about to say of course like I always do when he stopped and got a look on his face. My mind completely went blank. Then he dropped to his knee and I was just couldn’t believe it so I was like ‘Babe, get up. Don’t go playing with my emotions like that.” Then he pulled the ring from his pocket and I don’t know that any words left my mouth because I was too busy crying as it hit me. My sweet man was all teeth, smiling his infectious smile. His eyes were just the softest they had ever been. Matt was so nervous he almost put the ring on my right hand, so of course between the tears I had to help him out and tell him ‘wrong hand, wrong hand’!
I couldn’t stop going back and forth between my best friend’s face and the ring. It is the most beautiful solitaire cushion cut on a yellow gold band. Later I learned that he chose to go with the flat band so my wedding band will fit snug to it. Everything detail of the ring, he considered me and what I would want. As I stood there in complete aw, Matt dropped another surprise on me. Our sweet friend, Kendra, was further down the levee using a long lens to capture the most perfect moment for us. That night we went to Little Village, but I got my final surprise of the day that Matt spilled the beans on. Our parents, as well as my sister and brother-in-law met us for dinner! It was honestly a night I’ll never forget.
I think we might have finally chosen a time of year to tie the knot & I cannot wait to share the planning process with y’all!!!
XoXo, Mads