Matthew and Eileen have been aquintances since they were kids. They first crossed paths at church, where Eileens dad and Matthews parents were regulars. Fun fact: Eileen had Matthew’s mom, Barbara, as her fifth-grade CCD teacher!


Fast forward to high school: Eileen and Matthew went to the same youth group for a few years.


But before that, Eileen got invited by a mutual friend (Ryan) of her’s and Matthew’s to the St. Johns College High School in Washington DC, Army JROTC Regimental Ball with one of his classmates who did not have a date


Eileen was all in, and guess who she bumped into again? Matthew!


She spotted him sitting at a table to himself and asked him if he wanted to dance.
Matthew was totally smitten by Eileen in her navy blue dress. But after that night, they lost touch for a while.


Then came the COVID era, when Eileen and Matthew reconnected on Hinge. It was like fate! They caught up and discovered they share a birthday (March 5th, just two years apart), both have dads named Patrick Joseph, and each has a brother named Brian. Talk about cosmic connections!


On May 7, 2023, they officially started dating. Matthew, being his usual laid-back self, casually said, Let’s just start being more than just friends, instead of a classic “Will you be my girlfriend?”


Fast forward to March 9, 2024, when they took their first trip to New Orleans. Eileen was excited because her dad’s mom, Marie (affectionately known as Granny), was from there.


In a hilarious twist, Matthew was feeling a bit too hot in his flannel after the weather warmed up.


Matthew accidentally got a shirt with the same floral pattern as Eileen’s dress she ordered from amazon; at beach store in a mall Eileen spotted by the water.

They didn’t realize, until they left the beach store—totally unintentional matching!


They enjoyed a steamboat ride and later strolled down Exchange Way for dinner at the Pelican Club (highly recommended!). The alley was beautifully decorated with palm trees and twinkling lights, plus there was some soft jazz playing from a saxophonist in the background.


While they were waiting for their Pelican Club Dinner reservation, they settled in at a cozy windowsill, Matthew nervously blurted out, “There’s no better time than now, take off your claddagh ring”; which was on Eileen’s right hand (Eileen wasn’t fully expecting it, but she had an inkling).


Matthew grabbed the incorrect hand (the right hand), switch to her left hand and asked Eileen to marry him.
That ring is super special to her because it features their birthstone (aquamarine).


After what felt like an eternity to Matthew, Eileen finally said yes! They celebrated over dinner and excitedly shared the good news with their families.

Eileen and Matthew couldn’t be happier to kick off this new chapter together.


They’re gearing up for a celebration with all their family and friends in May 2025 in Frederick, MD.

Frederick holds a special place in their hearts—Matthew lives there, and Eileen has sweet memories visiting her grandparents there.

Eileen initially hoped to have the same wedding anniversary as her grandparents on May 16th, but since Fridays can be tricky for guests, they settled on May 10th, which works just fine!