Matthew and I met on Tinder in June 2019 when he lied and put his location as Pembroke Pines, Florida, even though he was really in Japan. We texted for a few days before we started FaceTiming daily, getting to know one another from a long distance despite the time change. We spent the next few months dating online until, unfortunately, COVID hit, extending when Matthew would return home to the United States, so we went our separate ways until he returned. Fast forward to 2022, when I moved home after getting my Master's Degree from The University of Alabama. Matthew slid into my Facebook direct messages to see how I had been and asked me on a date. One thing led to another, and now we always joke that he drove up to Orlando with me to meet one of my best friends, Emma, and he never left my side. He spent the night with us in the hotel and stayed at my house the whole time while she did & I never wanted him to leave.

-Nic

I was a young Marine in Japan getting ready to take leave and visit home for the first time in years so I decided to put my location on tinder to Pembroke Pines which was my destination. On Tinder I swiped right on this gorgeous pink haired white girl who then swiped right also. We spoke for months but ended up going our separate ways due to the time difference and LONG distance. Fast forward a few years later, when I was getting out of the Marine Corps and moving back home. I reached out to Nicole who had just graduated from The University of Alabama with her Masters and had recently moved back to Florida. We basically picked up where we left off, I visited her at what is now our home and never left.

-Matthew

At the end of a long work day my mother and godmother told me to get ready to check out the venue I loved to see it all together & make sure it was the one. While we three were walking around and planning exactly what would go where I turned the corner and noticed no one was walking with me anymore. Standing under the Zen Moon Gates was Matthew, smiling at me from ear to ear.

After hugging him hello, he dropped down to one knee, pulling out a 3D-printed ring pop box; I always told him I would say yes with just a ring pop. Inside of the ring pop was my dream engagement ring. Overwhelmed with so many emotions, tears welled as I said, "Yes." Our soon-to-be wedding photographer, Steve, came out from his hiding spot in the bushes, and we walked around the sanctuary taking photos, excited about the engagement photos that we cannot wait to hang next to our future wedding photos.

-Nic

Nicole, Orli, and I went shopping for rings to see what style she liked after a whole lot of nothing but love, affection, respect, and fun. Knowing I was going to buy a ring I was very excited to see what she would pick. Nicole had picked out her dream ring and I bought it right on the spot without her knowing. Many months I needed a squad to help me carry out this stealthy mission, so I recruited Orli, Laura, Alexis, and Steve. Alexis was the behind the scenes agent, helping me pick what to wear because I’m not only colorblind but I also have no fashion sense at all. Steve was the photographer who was hiding in bushes with me (It will make sense later). Orli was not only the brains of the operation but a very important part of setting everything up. Laura and Orli told Nicole that they wanted to see the wedding venue Nicole thought she wanted to get married at because Laura had never seen it before. Little did Nicole know, Steve and I were already at the venue waiting for them to arrive, HIDING IN A BUSH. Nicole as always looked so gorgeous and as the three of them walk up to our hiding spot, Laura and Orli turned around and left Nicole walking. I stepped out of the bush and walked over to my spot as she’s walking towards me with the brightest smile and I got on one knee. Thankfully she said YES. I wanted to give the already gorgeous venue a little more meaning for Nicole and I which is why I chose to propose there. This place will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

-Matthew