Welcome To Our Wedding!

Our story began as all modern fairy tales do, with a simple swipe right. On a lazy Sunday evening, I laid in my bed searching through an endless array of dating profiles. When I reached Matt's profile, I paused for several minutes. His carefree smile immediately caught my attention and his handsomeness was certainly a plus, however, the law-student in me struggled to overlook his glaring grammar and spelling mistakes. My thumb hovered over the screen as I contemplated my next move. Ultimately, I refused to let an engineer's sub-par english skills prevent me from potentially swiping on my future husband...and thank goodness I did. Matt and I spent the entire following week texting back and forth. Our conversation was normal and pleasant at first, exchanging basic pleasantries. Almost immediately thereafter, we initiated the ridiculous and crass messages that would come to define our fun-loving relationship. Only a day after our "match," Matt extended an invitation for our very first date. Our first date was at the fine dining institution known as Applebees, spending hours in what felt like constant laughter. Matt then suggested that we walk to another local bar in downtown Norfolk. Almost as soon as we exited the building, Matt pulled me in tight for a kiss under the beautiful starry sky. As the butterflies danced around in my stomach, I had absolutely no idea that this would be my last "first kiss." Our night continued on until I could hardly keep my eyes open any longer. I drove back to Williamsburg, spending almost the entire 45 minutes in utter bliss. Even then, after those very first moments together, I knew that I found someone and something so incredibly special.

On a random Sunday, I finished up watching football, got in bed, and pulled up the centuries-proven app Bumble for some old-fashioned right/left swiping. As I was swiping left on “duck faces” (the weird kissy-face girls do in pictures) and overthinking every right swipe, I found a profile that genuinely made me laugh...not to mention she was pretty easy on the eyes. After spending more time than most men do on a profile of an incredibly attractive woman, I gave her a right swipe. The screen did its dance and the, “It's a match!” screen came up. I couldn't believe it at first. A funny, talented, gorgeous future lawyer was dumb enough to swipe right on me. We matched at about 9:00 p.m. and immediately started texting non-stop. Next thing I knew it was 11:45 p.m. and I had to be up in six hours for work the next day. Our conversation continued through the morning, and I couldn't help myself from asking her out on a date. Next thing I knew, I had plans to meet the girl of my dreams. On the day of our date, we were trying to figure out where to go for dinner. All kinds of ideas were thrown out trying to think of something to do. Then she came up with the “$1 Bahama Mamma” deal at Applebees. Being the frugal man I am, she stole my heart right then and there. She made the long drive from Williamsburg to Norfolk to see me, and I nervously waited until she arrived. The whole night was incredibly fun. I never laughed or smiled that much on a first date. She agreed to keep the night going and head to another bar. Maybe just ten steps outside of Applebees, I couldn't wait any longer. I pulled her in for our first kiss a mere two hours into our first date. Needless to say, it eventually turned into date 2, date 3, and endless dates thereafter. All this time later, we have never stopped laughing, making way too many crude jokes together, and building our amazing family.

On a typical summer Saturday, you can find us lounging on Chick's Beach. Chick's is a quiet local beach that quickly became our happy place and favorite spot to enjoy time with our families and friends. Matt knew that there was no better place to get down on one knee. We arrived much later than usual, around 5 p.m., and set up our small spot on the sand. Baxter ran around at our feet as we watched the sun start to descend over the ocean waves. Halie threw a ball for Baxter to retrieve, however, Baxter was far too busy searching for leftover food to notice. Halie ran to scoop up the ball, and when she arrived back to the beach blanket she discovered Matt on one knee. Matt held Baxter in one hand and a gorgeous diamond ring in the other. Matt got out a few sweet words before Halie bent over to give him the biggest and happiest kiss. Matt pulled away to ask, "Is that a yes?" After assuring him that her answer was a million times yes, they enjoyed the last hour of sunset together as a soon-to-be family.

As many of you well know, our wedding has been postponed not once, but twice, due to COVID and my car accident. Each cancelled date was a heart-breaking necessity. Our initial plan was to wait until October to get legally married in front of all our family and friends, however, we ultimately decided that it was time to make it official after the traumatic year we had faced together. Our intimate ceremony, with just our closest family members present, was an exceptionally emotional day. The weather was picture perfect for our beach wedding as I walked down the sand with my step-father and eldest brother on each side of me. Matt and I were both in tears the minute we saw eachother. The tears, for us and all attendees, did not stop flowing during the entirety of the ceremony. Our vows were deeply personal and we are so happy that we get to reshare them with all those we love on October 30th!