How We Met
Matt and I met the summer before our senior year of high school. We had mutual friends who were tired of him being a third-wheel for everything, so they racked their brains for someone they could set him up with – that’s where I came into the picture! The first time we met each other was in our friend Devon’s basement. I was so nervous to meet Matt. When I showed up, he was supposedly already there. However, when I walked downstairs, he was nowhere to be found. All of a sudden, I heard a voice coming from behind the couch saying, “help me! Help me!” in a strange voice that mimicked Kermit the Frog. This was the moment I met my future husband!
That night we went out to dinner at one of the only restaurants in our small town. I was still so nervous, and I didn’t feel like I could eat anything. I was peer-pressured into ordering something, so I ordered a side of mashed potatoes and gravy, giving Matt a false sense of how much it would cost to take me on dates! We continued to have a great time all evening, and (I know this is cheesy, but it’s SO true) as I drove home that night, I knew I wanted to marry Matt one day.
We dated through our senior year and all through college. Matt is my best friend and biggest supporter (and also gives me a reality check when I need one)! I am so thankful to have him by my side!
How They Asked
One night, Matt was acting suspicious – we’ve never been good at keeping secrets from each other. After some pushing, Matt finally spilled the beans… he was planning on proposing! The first thing I said was, “No you’re not!” I told him that he had to talk to my dad before I would marry him, and he told me he already had talked to him. I was so shocked (and ecstatic)!
A few weeks later, we went to a basketball game in Des Moines. Afterward, Matt took me for a walk on the riverwalk, and I was certain this was the moment he was going to pop the question. However, after our walk, he took me back to the car, and we drove back to Ames. The whole 30-minute drive home, I was so bummed out.
However, instead of driving home, he took me to campus – I was a student at Iowa State University. It is an age-old Iowa State tradition that you don’t become a true “Iowa Stater” until you’ve kissed your beloved under the Campanile at the stroke of midnight. Matt took me for a walk around campus, and we ended up at the Campanile. It was shortly before 10:30 (we are not night owls) when Matt dropped to one knee. I should preface this part of the story by saying when Matt first asked me out, he said, “will you be my girlfriend and stuff?” As he told me how much he loved me, Matt said, “will you be my wife and stuff?” Of course, I said yes, and the rest is history!
