How We Met
Matthew and I met in elementary school. I went to private school from kindergarten to graduation. Matt showed up in 5th grade and left after 8th. Neither one of us could tell you of a single conversation we shared…if we ever did. Fast forward to February 2015. My friend, Elizabeth and I hosted a singles Valentine’s Day “party”. I use the quotes because really, it was just us and a couple of friends watching movies. She invited Matthew, whom she’d been telling me that I needed to meet for some time. You can imagine my surprise when I found myself face to face with that weird nerdy kid from junior high.
“Matt Riley, right?” I said as I extended my hand.
“Yes, and you’re Jessica”.
I quickly withdrew my hand.
“I’m Jerica…”
After that awkward re-introduction, it became a routine. The three of us hung out every Friday. Liz and I would cook dinner, and we’d watch tv, and have drinks. Eventually, I decided that Matthew needed to learn to cook. This would eventually become our favorite couples activity.
how they asked
By January 2016, we’d become a couple. He called me his princess, and I called him my knight. But it was never a “damsel in distress” situation. We always said that we fought side by side. November 19th, 2017…the day before my birthday. Matthew threw an elaborate birthday party for me. It was very private…just our parents, and two close friends. He had been bragging about his present to me for, like, a month, but I didn’t really pay it any mind. When it came time for him to give it to me, he covered my eyes. When he uncovered them, there was a pink (my favorite color) KitchenAid stand mixer on the table. I’d been hinting that I wanted one since we started dating.
I was absolutely ecstatic. When I turned around to hug him, he was on one knee. He said that his favorite thing to do was cook with me. He called me his princess and asked me if I would allow him to be my knight. He said that together we would slay dragons…and make meals out of them!
