After meeting at Buzz Mill on May 13th, 2022, each of us came in with fairly low expectations, but were both very pleasantly surprised when we hit it off! We talked for hours and were both optimistic and excited to meet again!

This is one of our first photos together! We have made so many amazing memories together but it took as a while to get better at taking photos or videos (still a work in progress ha!).

This is our FIRST summer together, one of the FIRST photos we took together , and the FIRST time either of us met a family member.

Matt met Rena's sister (Derniea) and nephew (Noah) for the first time. They both loved him immediately (Noah especially) and it made her love him even more!

This was our first ball game together. Rena learned that even BORING shit is soo much more fun with Matt... and even though she doesn't care a hoot about baseball, she will go to as many games as he will take her to.

Our very first vacation together was in Charleston, South Carolina. We had an amazing time exploring this beautiful historic city, top down in our V8 Mustang! We enjoyed the delicious southern food (including the famous South Carolina BBQ), and plenty of RUM! This is where Rena first got to know (and appreciate) how good Matt is at planning things.

Our first international trip was quite a trek! We went to Dubai for our dear friend's wedding... and what a time! It was EXHAUSTING, but a once in a lifetime experience.

This was definitely something that bonded us early on. We don't mind being silly and we both absolutely LOVE the holidays! Check out our cool matching sweaters... and pajamas :)

In 2022, Rena came up to freezing Michigan to celebrate Christmas and Pop's Retirement. And... she also met everyone - but you'll have to take our word for it because this is the only photo we have! (oops)

Ahh our very first new year together! By this time we were pretty head over heels for each other. This is one of our favorite photos together!

- photo cred to Mrs Mayra Gaylor (nee Hernandez).

Once we discovered how much fun we have traveling together, we took a few more trips together ;-)

In 2023, with the help of a few galoots, Matt moved in with Rena. The cats are starting to get used to him being around - as a matter of fact, Lucy (the chunk) very much appreciates the new routine of twice daily treats :)

On October 6th, 2023, he popped the question! Spoiler alert: she said YES!

Rena took Matt to St. Lucia for the first time for Christmas of 2023 and he got to meet most of the family!

We continue to travel (especially under the pretext of attending each other's conferences), hang out around Austin, and terrorize the cats. Fortunately we love one another's company - so much so, that Rena will sit on the couch and "watch" (read: play on her phone) sports with Matt.

Michigan, Las Vegas, New Orleans, DC, Philly, Toronto, Orlando, St Lucia ... and many more to come - we can't wait to see what's next!