Matt went to high school in Maine with one of Christie's best friends from St. Lawrence who encouraged us to meet. We connected over text mid-2015, but Summer plans and trips out of town (...blame Bay Head) delayed meeting up and squashed Matt's dozens of creative date proposals. Finally, in January 2016, Christie was out with her friends in Southie, and Matt was at a restaurant across the street with his, sitting in the front window. As the girls were hopping in a taxi headed to their next spot, he happened to spot her through the window (live and in color, for the first time!) and he decided to seize the moment - we were both in town and it was time to see if this thing had real life potential. He asked where she was headed and shortly after, Matt walked into Lincoln Tavern, where a barstool was waiting for him. It was instant, and we've been inseparable since that night. Our first Southie apartment, an international move, three magical years in London, almost 20 countries explored, an English rose garden proposal, another Southie home and one fluffy Bernese Mountain Dog later, it feels like yesterday and forever all at once. By the time we get married, we'll be approaching 8 years together - each one better than the last. We truly can't wait, and we'll always be grateful for those 2 barstools. See you down the shore! C&M