Madeline and Matt's story begins when Madeline took a job as a scheduler in Congressman Andy Barr's office in October of 2019. Matt had been working in the office since March of the same year. When Madeline accepted the job her chief of staff told her she offers "unlimited PTO the year you get married" to which Madeline laughed and said something along the lines of "I am so single that will never be necessary." Madeline proceeded to walk out of that office and meet her future husband. After working quite well together for about six months the world shut down in March of 2020 for COVID. During that uncertain time Matt and Madeline created a routine that quickly revolved around each other. The two went on daily runs on the National Mall after work where they would coincidentally run into each other - usually walking back to Capitol hill together chatting about life. Matt would then join Madeline and her roommate Marisa (Maid of Honor) for whatever themed dinner the two had put together followed by an extremely lively, and at times downright cutthroat, game of UNO. As the two grew closer the walks on the mall got longer and the game nights extended into the early hours of the morning and in the summer of 2020 the two began dating.

During their walks on the mall over COVID, Madeline would take Matt to her favorite spot in DC - the north corner of the Lincoln memorial which is her favorite view of the city. Matt tucked this spot in the back of his head and on Friday, October 21st 2022 brought Madeline back to this spot to pop the question. After much crying from Madeline, the two opened a bottle of champagne and returned to their home in Capitol Hill where Matt had gathered both of their parents, one sibling, several local cousins, and lots of friends for an amazing engagement party.