"We met at a crosswalk in St. Louis on August 3rd, 2019 after service on the last night of NAYC19," Alexa says as she also describes what ensembles the two were wearing... her in a custom red cape dress and Matt in a custom chalk stripe suit he designed. The two had a shared interest in style and crossed paths just outside the stadium. Matt turned to give glances at Alexa who was walking behind him. "He would turn around every few minutes" and Alexa says "she felt her heart throbbing out of her chest with every glance". (Alexa also shares a Side Note: Thankfully we managed to cross paths! We owe some BIG thanks to our two friends who took roughly an hour to find directly after the service. If I wouldn't have struggled to find Val (we also met for the first time in person on 8.3.19 after being Insta pals...I had no idea that Val was a friend of Matt's) and if we hadn't chatted for the exact amount of time that we did... & matt with his buddy... WE would have never crossed paths.) Back to the story... One little problem was that Alexa was walking with another but that didn't stop Matt. Once they made it to the same parking garage and Alexa's ride went to the top Matt made his move... he said... "we're gonna take the stairs" with his big beautiful grin—Alexa replied blushingly "oh ok." He went up the stairs and she stayed at the bottom waiting to be picked up. Matt managed to come down before Alexa's date and rolled down the window of the car and waved at Alexa giving a wink. Alexa was overwhelmed and before she knew it she was flirting back giving her own big smile and a wave. Then that was it... he drove away and the night went on. But the whole dinner Alexa couldn't get the man in the chalk stripe suit out of her head... who was he?! She was devastated that he didn't get her number. It was always like that she thought. So she said a quick little prayer and gave it to God.

The next day while alexa was shopping with her mom and nana she got an Instagram message saying "hey I'm wearing my Gucci's today too" & then "sorry I only said hey from my friend's car" and EEEEKKKKK was Alexa's immediate response!!! IT Was him!! Her mystery man in the chalk stripe suit! He found her and How?! Alexa tried to restrain herself from immediately responding because she didn't want to be too quick on the draw but she could only wait a few minutes. That was the start of their daily chatting on Instagram and their friendship.

After about a month of DM's and Matt's sweet-talking, Alexa said a prayer for there to be the next step in their relationship if it was the will of God. The very next day Matt told Alexa he was taking an IG fast and wanted to stay in touch via phone. AND BINGO thought alexa—finally the next step. That same day matt gave Alexa a call after she very clearly let him know "you can call me anytime" when giving him her number. Matt called almost immediately and Alexa didn't know what to do with herself. She was flustered but still managed to Answer to hear a voice on the other side of the line speaking in a British accent. She was surprised by this and had a hard time keeping her roommate boo from giggling too loudly. Eventually, matt dropped the accent and they chatted for about 30 minutes. It was perfect and he was incredibly sweet just as he had been in writing. He asked to call again the next night and the two stayed on the phone for nearly 3 hours... They were sharing their hearts and at the end of the call matt asked if Alexa wanted to pray with him before ending the call. Alexa was so moved and that moment was the beginning of their prayer life which would evolve + develop deeply over the next few months.

Matt was very intentional (alexa loved this from the very beginning and took note) and called Alexa every day... which always ended in prayer. Matt was ready to take Alexa out on a real date and asked what her schedule looked like with school. Alexa was finishing up her senior year at Sewanee at this time. He also inquired if Alexa would be attending their mutual friend Val's Vacanne fashion show in San Deigo in October. Just to their benefit, Alexa would be in attendance and Matt wanted to secure that he could take her on a proper date while she came out. Alexa was thrilled but she just needed to get mom on board first. Fast forward to Val's show getting postponed due to unforeseen circumstances and a devastating pair of hearts. Matt inquired if he could still fly alexa out anyways...this was going to be a lot to convince mom of but Alexa really liked matt and couldn't imagine this passing her by. Thankfully since alexa had been hinting to her mom over the last few months about Matt it wasn't hard to convince her but I think the real reason was that Matt being the true gentleman he is gave her a call and asked her permission to ask Alexa to be his girlfriend on their upcoming date. He also ensured Alexa's safety and his intentions—he was a bonified gentleman.

So October 16th, 2019 arrived and it was time to go on a date with matt. Alexa arrived in San Diego in the morning and was presented with a beautiful man holding a bouquet of pink roses tied with a satin ribbon. Fairytales really do exist Alexa thought as she met his embrace in a big hug. It was a dream and everything she had imagined + prayed for. Matt was all about details and also had alexa's favorite Starbucks drink in the car ready for her!! What a man—the two headed for breakfast reservations at the Cottage where Alexa and Matt split the french toast while listening the ocean in La Jolla just a few feet away. Alexa and matt both claim they were on cloud nine! After Breakfast, the two walked the beach where matt first held her hand! The couple was such a sight that a pair of ladies saw the two and offered to take their picture together. This is the photo shown above under the pier in La Jolla and every year together they remake the photo eventually hoping to bring their future children.

After spending the afternoon at the beach Matt was ready to take Alexa to a special dinner reservation where he would ask her a very important question— but Alexa was already anticipating that he would ask her the question she'd come all the way to san Diego to hear. Matt let her know they'd need to leave to make the reservation but alexa was determined to stay on the beach. Matt was happy to do what alexa wanted and canceled their reservation. After another hour and a half, the question had not come and they were hungry again. LOL so alexa suggested they get food but with no reservation on Friday night, the options were slim so they settled for good ole chick-fil-a. Hand in hand the two went in and over a cobb salad, matt took Alexa's hand and told her that his original plans had been foiled (due to her lol) but that he couldn't wait any longer to ask her. He said "Alexa Sue-Anne would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend". With the biggest grin and peaked cheeks, alexa said yes. Matt then took them to Coronado island where they split a milkshake at the cutest little diner and made the news public with their friends. (Matt had no idea alexa had always dreamed of splitting a milkshake with the man she loved and Matt had done it again). Following the milkshake, the couple walked hand in hand to the special fire pit by the Coronado Hotel that Matt had set up where they talked about forever. It was so surreal—Matt told alexa that he would marry her one day. Matt took Alexa back to Val's where Alexa was staying and the two prayed over their relationship. Matt walked her to the door and kissed her goodnight. Alexa, Val & Dayna stayed up squealing at the events of the day and Alexa couldn't believe this was her reality. It was all she had prayed for and God was so faithful. She was living her fairytale after seeing so many others she loved lived theirs. Alexa is so blessed to have Val who played a vital role in her story with Matt. Val is Alexa's Maid of Honor and one day the couple can't wait to be Auntie + Uncle to Val's littles + vice versa.

Two days later, Matt, Val, and Alexa went to Sea World where Matt mouthed to Alexa during the whale show "I love you". Alexa's heart started racing—did he really say that?! !!!!!!!! After the show Matt and Alexa went to grab lemonades for the three and he said it to her face to face. Alexa had never told anyone romantically ever before "I love you" and the words held enormous weight for her. Matt said the three words and eight letters following with take your time saying it back but I love you and I can't keep it to myself anymore. With tears in Alexa's eyes, she said the three letters eight words back to Matt knowing he was the man she would one day marry.

So there are so many more chapters that take place between what is shared above and now 4.3.22. The couple is nearing their three-year anniversary on 10.16.22 and God has written a beautiful love story that includes long-distance courting, covid-19 and so many precious memories. The couple has navigated and stuck it out through the challenge that long distance can be knowing that one day they would be together forever.

That together begins with family, friends, and a grand celebration on August 22 of 2022. They thank God for his divine orchestration of their love story.

P.S. The couple's favorite date has to be the first one on 10.16.22 and the second is when Matt surprised Alexa to take her to Disneyland on Valentine's Day in 2020. He really is a romantic gentleman who makes all of her dreams come true.