It’s hard to believe that Matthew and I met over FOUR years ago. The story of us begins very interestingly. Naturally, Facebook linked us together- well sort of.

Before we got together (so we’re talking early 2011), we were Facebook friends.  One day I went on this crazy deleting spree + yes you guessed it, I deleted Matthew. So the story goes that he went looking for me (in mid 2011) and noticed we weren’t friends anymore. He added me back + I accepted after confirming with my best friend (who knew of him thanks to her older brother who went to high school with Matthew) that he wasn’t a creep. I honestly never thought anything of it.

So fast forward to fall 2011 and my best friend + I head up to Carter Mountain Apple Orchard, we take a few pictures because I mean that’s what best friends do, and posted them on Facebook. It was almost instantaneously that Matthew started liking the photos. Once again, I thought nothing of it.

Fast forward a few more days and I start getting “Poke” requests from Matthew on Facebook. So I thought why the heck not and “poke” back. To be honest, I’m not really sure why, but something felt right.

A few days go by, and then on one Thursday night in October of 2011, Matthew messages me while I’m watching… Jersey Shore of all shows. He literally said “I was poking you until I got enough courage to message you.” And well, from then on the rest was history.

We stayed up late at night talking on the phone, met for the first time in the Target parking lot (maybe that’s why Target gets weekly visits from us).

A week to two weeks later we go to the Powhatan High School football game together with.. you guessed it- my best friend. We all go back to my house after the game + we watched Fast Five. And when it was time for Matthew to leave, I walked him out and BAM! he asked me to be his girlfriend on October 22nd, 2011.

Needless to say we’ve been through a lot together! He was by my side throughout my senior year in high school and continued to support me through my ENTIRE college career. I’ve watched him grow up, drink his first beer, graduate electrical school, buy two trucks, buy a HOUSE, all the meanwhile supporting me in my crazy endeavors- like starting a professional wedding photography business WHILE in college!

Never once has Matthew ever left my side.

So let’s fast forward to November 15th, 2015- the day I SAID YES to the love of my life.

I was told we (Matthew, his two brothers, the girlfriends, his sister-in-law, and his mom) were headed up to Nelson County, VA to their cabin, and later the Blue Ridge Parkway to take their annual Christmas Card picture.

So we all get to the cabin and I could tell everyone was on edge (makes me nervous just thinking about it)! We took a few group photos there, and then we all took off for the Parkway.

We pull up at a stop sign while waiting for one of his brothers and I could tell Matthew was uneasy. He said: Where is he? They know I have stuff to do. I just figured that he wanted to get back home and do some housekeeping. NOPE.

So we get to the pull-off spot on the parkway. We all get out and I get the tripod ready for our group shot for the Christmas Card. We take a couple of shots and then we switch into couple photos.

We started taking photos of his younger brother + his girlfriend. And then switched to his older brother + his new wife and their cute pup Riley.

And then it was our turn. I handed my camera off to his mom. His younger brother had Matthew’s camera, and the two girls had cellphones.

So we start posing for a photo and Matthew (mind you in the middle of the photo) asks how I would feel if he pushed me off the cliff. I told him I wouldn’t be too happy. He paused.

And then he asked: What would you do if I asked you to marry me?

I said: I would probably cry. (No such luck- I think I was too shocked)

AND BAM!

He got down on one knee, reached down into his boots and pulled out the box. He opened it, and then stared at me and said: So will ya? (I mean is that not perfect or what?)

Of course I said YES!

And there you have it folks, we’re engaged and SOOO very excited.

It’s been a few days, but we’re both still in shock that it actually happened.

So enjoy photos from the best day of our lives…