We met through Bumble. Matt was living at home in Rhode Island and Daniela was home for winter break in Massachusetts. While she was traveling to Indianapolis with campus ministry, she returned to Providence, close enough to match with Matt. She broke the ice with What’s the coolest thing you’ve done while traveling? – and the rest is history!

We went on our first date on January 19, 2019, when Daniela returned for her final semester at Providence College. At the end of their first date, Matt gave her a glass turtle to symbolize that he would take things slowly – at her pace. At that point, she realized that he might not be so bad after all!

We spent those first few months going on fun dates and getting to know one another. We immediately bonded over our love of travel, books, and the environment. She even let him come to Mass with her – in public! We wouldn't trade those early days (when we were so young, but Daniela thought that Matt was so old) for anything.

August 2019 • We capped off the first six months together with a long weekend trip to Iceland. We saw incredible landscapes, from towering waterfalls and rolling hills, to glaciers and thermal pools. We were also surprised to find some of the best burgers and fries that we've ever had. By that trip, Matt knew that he'd be with Daniela forever. Needless to say, it took her a bit longer to be convinced.

October 2019 • We traveled to Nantucket for the first time. Matt spent a term there in college—his semester overseas—and was excited to show Daniela why he considers it such a special place. Despite the bruises Daniela got while biking on the cobblestones, it's become one of our favorite places to go.

February 2021 • We traveled with Matt's family to Maui. Already one of Matt's favorite places, Daniela fell in love with it the moment she realized how delightfully warm Hawaii's ocean is. She even saw a turtle from the beach while Matt was snorkeling around looking for one himself! (He totally isn't still upset about it.)

September 2021 • This was the first of a few trips to Disney. We both love the rides and the atmosphere, and it's a great way to spend time together, with friends (down in Orlando), and with family (over in Anaheim)!

November 2022 • As a challenge, we went to Fenway Park to compete in our first Spartan Race together. There's nothing quite like a Spartan Race to tell you how out of shape you are! We were both fast asleep no later than 6:30 that evening.

December 2022 • Accompanied by Matt's parents, we spent a weekend in New York City to see The Phantom of the Opera before it ended its run on Broadway. In true tourist fashion, we enriched the visit with the Rockette's at Radio City, Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and a carriage ride through Central Park.

March 2023 • To fulfill one of Daniela's top bucket list locations, we went to Washington, D.C. for a long weekend trip. Staying near the National Mall, we were able to visit the Air & Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the National Archives, and the United States Botanic Garden. We even timed it perfectly to see all of the cherry blossoms in full bloom!

May 2023 • After years of waiting, months of secrecy (more in the next section), and weeks of planning, Matt proposed to Daniela overlooking the ocean in Matunuck, RI. More than anything, he wanted it to be a surprise, and by her reaction, it surely was!

Matt always knew that he wanted to make Daniela's engagement ring. He started the process by finding the perfect diamond, searching through thousands of options. Then he designed the ring around the diamond, trying to shape the ring into what he knew would both look great and be something that she loved. Only then did he figure out how he was actually going to make it. He ended up finding a local jeweler in Pawtucket, RI, who was willing to work with him to provide the tools and to oversee the process.

After months of sporadically skipping his day job to labor away at it (and to keep it as much of a surprise as possible), the ring was finally complete! He proposed the next day. In a moment of inspiration, he even found a turtle ring box in reference to that fateful gift presented to Daniela on their first date.

These days, we're returning to Pawtucket—together, this time—to craft our wedding bands.