We're Getting Married!

Dear Family and Friends: As you know, we have made the difficult decision to move our wedding date and to streamline our plans a bit. Gathering is still challenging at this time, and the health and safety of our loved ones has been our first priority each step along the way of planning, and re-planning, our wedding. We appreciate your patience, love and support, and we are truly excited to celebrate with you at The Farm on November 6, 2021. See you soon in Maurertown, Virginia! Love, Matty and Sam Inquiries? Please direct any wedding related questions to our wedding planner Allison at allison@pineapplepro.com

In 1946, Sam's beloved grandfather - the intrepid Life Magazine photographer Yale Joel - went on assignment from New York City down to Carville, Louisiana. He was sent to photograph patients at the famous Leprosy hospital located there, seeking to use his art and platform at Life to help eliminate stigma around those who suffer from the disease. There is no doubt that he met Matty's grandfather, who operated the only general store and post office for miles around (hence the name Carville, Louisiana!). In 2011, Sam attended a cocktail party benefiting TFA at Matty's home in New Orleans. Sam wandered into the kitchen to steal finger sandwiches - mistakenly looking at Matty who, in her pajamas, from the couch - gave a withering look to her future husband to get the hell out of her house. In late 2017, Matty visited a psychic (Cari Roy - check her out!!). In her visions, she could see a bearded man. A soulmate. Split from the same atom. Together in every lifetime. "You find each other again and again. Over and over." Sam and Matty had met a million times before even though they didn't know each other. "He'll tell you that you're an old soul, that's how you'll know it's him." January 12th, 2018 Matty and Sam were attending a farewell party at Urban South Brewery. Sam was headed out and went to pay his tab, Matty happened to be sitting next to the register. For the first time, they got to talking. Sam told a mutual friend, "She's cute!" as he was leaving. The mutual friend sent Matty's number to Sam but Sam missed the text. January 15, 2018 Sam saw Matty working at the annual MLK Day Parade. Since they had met at the bar he couldn't stop thinking about her. He thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He asked for her number, even though he already had it. January 22, 2018 At the end of their first date, when Sam was walking Matty to her car, he turned to her and said, "This is going to sound weird, but I just feel like you're a really old soul."

It was easy to get Matty to New York City. All Sam had to do was tell Matty that his Grandma wanted to spend time with them and they had to go visit. Matty loves Grandma and would walk to New York City just to make her smile, so Sam picked Matty up from work and off they went. Unbeknownst to Matty, he also invited some of her best friends (Emma Richardson! Jon Blader! Clare McCormick!), some of his best friends (Arthur Meyer! Kat DeNeve!), his brother, her sister, both of their parents and Matty's godmother. All of them squeezed in a Midtown hotel room that Emma Richardson had smartly stocked with bourbon and snacks. They were all hidden away, waiting for Sam's signal. Meanwhile, in Brooklyn: Sam and Matty woke up late, ate everything bagels with that really good NYC veggie cream cheese (Matty's favorite breakfast), and played with their nephew. Matty became suspicious and anxious about how little she knew about their day (because, as you might know, she's a little *~neurotic~*). Sam assured her that he had lots of great things planned for the day. Really dreaming big, Matty added that whatever it was he had planned she hoped it involved pizza. There were several ADHD induced diversions - 3 blocks from Grandma's apartment Matty spotted the pizza she wanted, 2 blocks away from Grandma's apartment Matty saw kittens available for adoption, 1 block away she saw a bodega and decided she wanted to buy Grandma flowers; Sam sweat more and more each time they stopped. But eventually, they made it up to the apartment. When Grandma opened the door, Matty immediately noticed all the blocks of cheese in the kitchen. "But why so much cheese when it's just the three of us?"

Then, after catching up and hanging out for a moment, Sam sent a text. It was time. "Let's go to the roof, babe. I want to show you the skyline." It was a perfect misty autumn day, and the roof 30 stories up was inside of a cloud. Sam walked Matty to the most beautiful view and wrapped her in a signature Sam bear hug. "You know that I love you with all my heart and soul. I want to be with you for the rest of my life," Matty felt the rise of butterflies in her belly. Is this happening? No? YES? NO! YES! ???? And then a giant camera flash went off. Then Matty knew for sure. "So Matty, will you marry me?" YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Matty fell to the ground. More pictures, lots of kisses and happy tears. Behind the camera was Sam and Matty's favorite photographer - Sam's dad, David. Sam suggested they all go downstairs to see Grandma. Grandma opened the door again, and again Matty noticed the cheeses. But this time the table had flowers and champagne glasses next to all the cheese. Sam walked Matty around the corner where the radiant joyful faces of her friends and family screaming just as loud as she screamed. Again, she collapsed to the floor. But this time, her mom went down too, in a puddle of tears and excitement. After cheese and champagne and hugs, everyone headed to the restaurant Felidia where Sam had arranged a beautiful private room with a view and a custom menu with all of Matty's favorite foods. More champagne. More hugs. More pictures. Prayers said and memories shared and promises made. A perfect surprise. It was the best night of Matty and Sam's life, and it still feels surreal.