Rachel, this has been the best year of my life because you have been in it. I am so thankful for you and your love toward me. Thank you for being who you are and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you with all my heart.
Blog
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New Year’s Eve
We spent a very cold New Year’s Eve at Julie and Kenny’s new house. We had great food, great drinks, and great fun until I smashed my head…
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Trans Siberian Orchestra
Tonight, I surprised you with a trip to Buffalo to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra. First, we stopped by our favorite place, the Pearl Street Grill and Brewery. You had no idea what we were doing until we got into the arena and they announced the concert on stage. I hope you enjoyed it and I was so happy to spend another amazing evening on a fun adventure with you!
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Love, Rachel
I am in love with your smile. It makes my heart melt. When you touch me with your lips the world around me disappears and for just a moment it’s only me and you. No time, no space, just me and you. You make my world a whole lot more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. I am so thankful that God placed you at my breakfast table that Sunday morning. You have changed my heart and I fall more in love with you every moment of every day. You are my sunshine. I love you!
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Opening Presents
Tonight, we spontaneously opened our presents by the fire. It was only a few days before Christmas and I couldn’t resist. I love all my presents and you loved all of yours! It was our very first Christmas together.
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Graham Cracker Houses
Noelle, Oswald, Tina, and Blake came over to the apartment as we hosted dinner and Graham Cracker Houses, which was equally fun and hilarious.
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Wrapping Presents
We wrapped our presents and put them under our beautifully decorated Christmas trees.
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Dinner and a Movie
We had breakfast for dinner at Jays Diner and then went across the street to watch Planet of the Apes at Movies 10.
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Christmas Baking
I went to Wegmans and bought you everything you needed to make your Pinterest baking dreams come true.
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Love Notes
I love it when you leave me love notes from time to time to remind me how much you love me.
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SWS/PTV Concert
Having to work early the next morning, you traveled 3 hours with me out to Albany to see 3 bands you didn’t even like. We parked next to a church and ate at a local taco place. We drove home late that night having had another awesome adventure together.
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Trip to Skaneateles
We took a spontaneous trip (as we sometimes do) to a small town called Skaneateles just outside of Syracuse. We spent the day shopping and shared several drinks and a tasty meal at the only restaurant in town. We stayed the night in Syracuse and shopped at the mall the next day before coming back home.
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Kissing Over Downtown
We went up to the rooftop of my office building in the heart of downtown Rochester where we shared on of our first kisses to share another, almost one year later. Then we headed over to Dinosaur BBQ to celebrate your mom’s birthday with your family.
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We Moved in Together
After several long weeks of work, I was hesitant at first, but it felt like the next logical step. So, we took the plunge, rearranged the spare room, and starting bringing your things into our new apartment on 1000 Still Moon Crescent at Blueberry Hill.
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Thought @ Work
This weekend I spoke at RIT’s Thought at Work Conference for 3 days. I gave 2 lectures, held 2 interactive workshops, and was a part of a student panel. Industry professionals came from all over the country to give students insight into the industry and teach them how to better sell themselves. You were there to watch and support my best 2 lectures on Sunday morning!
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Suits
We’re obsessed. We watched 2 seasons in 2 weeks.
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Fall Cleaning
We cleaned the whole apartment, reorganized the kitchen and laundry room, and had a blast doing it.
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Wedding Day
I am going to marry her.
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A beautiful heart
Have a beautiful with your family baby! I’m going to read and spend time with our beautiful maker who blessed me with you!
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Star Wars Marathon
We watched the original star wars trilogy today. Now I know you are a keeper.
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Bible Study
We started attending a new Bible study recently and we love going together to learn how to be better and stronger for each other and for God.
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Outside Your Mind
Your go-to phrase for everything that annoys you.
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The Hidden Note
Today at work, I found this little blessing in my notebook from you. I texted you a photo of it and you told me that you left it there 7 months ago on the very first day I ever took you to my office. We hadn’t even said “I love you” yet, but you knew you loved me and left me this hoping I would find it someday. What an incredible find. Love you babe!
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My Space
You give me all the space I need and take great care of me when work gets really busy.
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Rascall Flatts Concert
We drove to Saratoga Springs to see Rascall Flatts, Sheryl Crow, and Augustana at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. It was my 26th birthday gift to you. We spent the day exploring the city and getting some local BBQ for dinner. Needless to say it was a blast and the concert was one to remember, but we drive 4 hours there and 4 hours back in the same night. We were both very tired but had completed another amazing adventure and explored a new city!
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Daily Excitement
Rachel: I am so excited for today! I hope your morning is going well! :D
Matt: I love how excited you get about each and every day. It’s beautiful.
Rachel: Life is so beautiful, how can you not be happy? :)
Matt: Just another reason why I love you so much.
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6 Months
To celebrate 6 months of sharing each others lives together, we decided that instead of going out to a fancy dinner, we would just stay in and relax in pajamas while watching movies all night. I decided to take that idea further and setup about 30 candles throughout the living room, dining room, and kitchen and left light love songs playing in the background for when you arrived. I also bought checkers and yahtzee and set them up for additional entertainment. We relaxed alone all night and just enjoyed being with each other; reflecting on where we have come from and where we are now. I love you Rachy!
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Wild Dolphins!
We saw wild dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. Awesome.
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Summer Road Trip
We drove for over 60 hours and 3000 miles during our 9 day adventure with Florida as our most southern destination. On the way down we stopped in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor where we had good shopping, drinks, and a free room! Then we drove the the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. We eventually arrived in Myrtle Beach, SC where we had a huge and equally gorgeous hotel room right on the beach with good shopping and attractions nearby. The next day we drove to Savannah, GA where you can apparently drink alcohol anywhere you want. We experienced some great shops before getting trapped in a bar during a rainstorm, but it was fine with us because we ordered the best wings ever. Late that night we arrived at my families house in Tampa, FL.
We stayed with my family for 3 full days and explored shopping, restaurants, beaches, rivers, and of course, the ocean. We got to see dolphins up close along with some wild monkeys! The beaches were gorgeous and the shopping was just as good as the quality of the food. Mhhhmmhhhmmm.
On the way back, we hauled it 750 miles (by the way, 645 miles is your limit. After that you get kinda batty) on the first day and were blessed to stay with your friend in Virginia for free as well. On the last day of the trip we stopped to explore the Caverns at Natural Bridge in VA before making the final charge towards the New York border.
Our entire trip could not have gone more smoothly, even though we did have to make some adjustments along the way. Another set of great memories in the books.
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Toquito, Tosquistos, Chosquattas.
We say the most ridiculous things…
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4th of July on Silver Lake
We were blessed to spend 4th of July weekend at our friend Adrienne’s Cabin on Silver Lake in upstate NY. We spent alot of time on the boat and taking photos. We also went to our first drive in movie where my car battery died and then ate delicious smores by the fire!
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5 Months
We both forgot about our 5 month milestone because we were having so much together already that day.
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Caught in the rain
We got caught in the rain together. On purpose.
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Frisbee Golf
Today, I introduced you to Frisbee (Disc) Golf at Ellison Park. You were surprisingly good. I wasn’t expecting that.
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Jazz Festival
We went to Jazz Fest with your good friends Tina and Blake (who are awesome and hilarious) and navigated some crazy crowds while listening to awesome music and drinking good beer.
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Trip to New Jersey
This was a big trip. It was Father’s Day and my parents 29th anniversary. It was also the first time I had seen my brother Rob in over a year. It was also the first time you and Rob would meet. We drove for 6 hours Friday night, went to the Jersey shore on Saturday, went to my parents old church on Sunday and had a nice BBQ, but not before my dad and I played catch in the backyard while you and my Mom talked. Monday it was time to drive home and after a good nights rest (3 on the couch for me), we took another 6 hour drive back home. It was a great weekend and we could not have asked for more perfect weather!
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We have watched over 65 movies at home together on my TV.
We have watched over 65 movies at home on our TV in the 6 months we’ve been together.
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Our first week apart
I went away to a retreat called Basileia for an entire week up in the Adirondack mountains to play guitar on a worship team. That means I was away from my little Italian lady for 7 days. We talked throughout each day and I called you every night until I got home. Then we spent 4 straight days together!
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Date Night
Dinosaur BBQ for dinner and drinks. A walk along the Genesee River Trail. A movie at Tinseltown. I love dating you!
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Bike Rides & the Lilac Festival
We took advantage of a gorgeous spring day by going to the Lilac Festival and then taking an 11 mile bike ride. You got the biggest bag of Kettle Corn known to man and worked it off by chasing after trains and sunsets with me. We got lots of ice cream from sprinkles and just enjoyed being together. Later that night we watched “Pompeii”, which was the best movie I’ve ever seen that had no plot or purpose. What a great weekend! I love you so much!
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Her Best Friends Wedding
We both got dressed up to attend your best friends wedding. It was a beautiful spring day and the reception was especially fun.
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Hot Chocolate Delivered in the Rain.
You surprised me with hot chocolate on your way to work today even though it was raining outside and I don’t work anywhere near you.
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Morning Devotional
We were up late watching Captain Phillips and overslept the late service at church. So, instead I went and bought you a coffee while you made belgian waffles. Afterwards, we went out on my deck to do a morning devotional together in place of the service we missed.
We read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 and talked about God’s patience and love for us and how we who are saved are appointed to lead others to Christ. We also talked about how incomprehensible His love is. Love is something that evolves over time. Forgiveness is hard. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting. God is infinitely patient with us even though He knows we are doing wrong. However, He also knows the ending.
It was a beautiful morning and a great conversation. I love my girl and I love my God!
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Adventure in Buffalo
We’re truly a blessed couple. On Easter Sunday, an absolutely perfect day for driving, we decided to just pick a direction and start doing just that, driving.
We drove to Niagara Falls and walked around for a while. You hadn’t been there in years. We grabbed dinner at Friday’s and then drove down to The Waiting Room in downtown Buffalo where we got into a random concert and bar for 1/2 price. Then we ended up with a free hotel room for the night and the next morning we checked out 15 minutes before a free tour of City Hall was taking place without even knowing it.
We toured the Buffalo Zoo on that gorgeous spring day and got free parking at a lot nearby the restaurant we wanted to eat at because the guy felt like being nice. We even got a jolly old tollbooth operator on the way home.
God is so good to us both and it’s so amazing to see Him actively amidst our relationship. We spent a lot of time together this weekend and I love you more now than I did before.
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Babe, that’s my car!
You says this about every car that you like.
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Easter Sunday
We went to the 11:30am service together on Easter to celebrate the life of Christ and honor Him on this special day. It was a beautiful time of worship and reflection combined with an outstanding message of salvation delivered by senior pastor Pierre DuPlessis. Of course none of this happened before you got your coffee and snuck it into the main auditorium. Again.
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Matt’s 24th Birthday
You certainly made my 24th birthday one to remember. Everything was a surprise. You came over to my apartment at about 11am on the morning of my birthday. We decided to go out to breakfast, but not before you presented my with a giant bag of presents. You hand-crafted a giant card full of photos of us and a map of places we wanted to see together, not to mention a lovely letter.
We went to the Highland Park diner for breakfast, then you surprised me with a canoe trip. I love canoeing! It was the perfect day for it too. Next, you took me to Casa Larga Vineyards for a wine tasting. We went back to my apartment and passed out on the couch, tired from paddling all morning. Then you took me out for yet another surprise, dinner. We ate at Espada Brazilian Steakhouse where guys walk around with 32 different types of meat and you use a two-sided circle to tell them if you wanted more or not. It was like a buffet of meat that came to you.
We went across the way to Salina’s for drinks before heading home to watch a movie. It was a great day that was just a small part of an amazing birthday weekend together. Thanks baby, I love you!
P.S. You got me balloons. I haven’t gotten balloons on my birthday in years :)
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My Poem
You texted me and said, “I wrote you an amazing poem”. To which my brain responded, “Oh Lord what am I about to read…”. Well, this is what I got. You always finds a way to make me smile or laugh. I love you for the total goofball you are.
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Every. Single. Sunday.
We attend the 11:30 service each week. Each week you buy a coffee and illegally sneak it into the auditorium in a huge purse.
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A Day to Remember
We started the day by attending an awesome church service at The Father’s House (the first you have seen that included a live dance performance and giant bouncy balls). We went home to change and take advantage of the perfect weather (75 and sunny with a cool breeze). We drove through Letchworth State Park just looking at the beautiful scenery and enjoying each others company. That night you made waffles and scrambled eggs which we lathered with syrup, huckleberry jam, whipped cream, butter, chocolate syrup, and powdered sugar while we watch The Rescuers Down Under. Then we sat out on the deck and talked for about an hour under the stars before packing it in for the night.
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Exploring Highland Park
We went out for a big birthday celebration for all our friends that have April birthdays, but before that, we went for a nice walk in Highland Park just to breathe the new spring air and be with each other.
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You Loves Wine
Words cannot even begin to describe how much you love wine. It is the life-blood of your very existence.
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Outta Hand
I cannot even begin to tell you how many things are outta hand.
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First Homemade Lunch
You made me lunch for the first time today. PBJ, Gatorade, Chips, and Yogurt.
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Peace only comes after the battle has been fought.
Rachel: I am not going to let grumpy pants ruin my girls night!
Matt: Good for you. I don’t have that ability. I would have told her off.
Rachel: I love that about you. I just like to keep the peace.
Matt: I do too, but I just can’t deal with stuff like that. Peace comes after the battle has been fought!
(Somehow I get the feeling you won’t love that about me when we have our next serious argument…)
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Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “ They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
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What?!?!?
You say this at least 100 times a day.
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K’NEX & Lego’s
We sat in my bedroom for hours and built small K’NEX and Lego models while listening to some good beats. You built a “ship”, which was basically a pile of pieces and a few wings that you stuck on top of some wheels. I built some nifty models to put on my desk at work.
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You Likes Remixes
Turns out you really like Thousand Foot Krutch, which I was not expecting because they are a hard rock band from Canada and you like HipHop and Techno. But, I found some remixes that got you hooked and now you likes just about everything I play by them. They are one of my favorite bands so I am glad we share a mutual appreciate for their talent. This song is called “We Are” form the bands “Metamorphosiz” remix album.
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Exploring Charlotte Beach
We decided to take advantage of one of the warmer days this winter and explore a local beach. It was a fun time, but the beach was gross after a long winter.
There was dirty snow everywhere from the violent winds and water surges. We got a little messy walking around and I balanced on a concrete wall as we walked along the canal path. You had winter boots on, I did not. After fighting our way through the tundra and unplowed parking lot, we headed to a local bar and meet your friend Julie and brother Jeremy for food and drinks before packing it in for the evening. Another successful date.
Did I mention that the sunset was absolutely breathtaking that night?
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Trip to NYC
Before I could even finish asking you if you wanted to go on a roadtrip you had already said yes. You barely knew where we were going, but you loved roadtrips and wanted to be with me. I am very blessed to have such an adventurer on my hands.
It was an awesome trip. We drove to NJ to see my family, then took the NJ Transit line into NYC the next day. I took you to some of my favorite NYC spots such as Top of the Rock and Times Square. We randomly bumped into your sister Rebekah who just happened to be in NYC on the same day. We ate at Virgils, where Rebekah was when we found her. It was BBQ from heaven. We haven’t had anything quite like it since then. Later that day we went to see my friend Kelly perform for her first album release. The next day we wen shopping and out for drinks while hanging out with my parents. We drove home Monday morning so I could bring you to work on time. It was awesome!
I fell a little more in love with you on this trip. I really enjoyed showing you all the cool things I have experienced in NYC over the years. One day was not enough though so I am planning on taking you back there sometime soon.
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Trip to Baltimore
Late Wednesday night you told me that you had the weekend off from work and wanted to get away somewhere. After a little thought, we chose Baltimore.
I was born there, and you had never been. I also had a few friends that lived there, so it made sense. We went to plenty of bars after sharing an amazing dinner and Hard Rock Cafe, got a little tipsy and walked through the Inner Harbor. The next day we went to breakfast with my two friends Emily and Vic at Miss Shirleys (Monkey Bread was amazing). Later we visited the aquarium (you LOVED the aquarium), went to breakfast with my two friends Emily and Vic at Miss Shirley’s (Monkey Bread was amazing), and we did a lot of laughing. This was our first big road trip together and I was happy to find out that we weren’t sick of each other after being in the car with my music for 7 hours.
We only went overnight but the drive was just as nice as Baltimore was and we were very blessed with great driving weather in the middle of a bad winter.
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You’re A Country Girl
You already liked Hunter Hayes, but that was taken to a new level after I introduced you to this fantastic little song on one of our random late night drives. “I could be so good at loving you, but only if you told me to.”
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God only knows what kinds of animals live in there…
While driving through the mountains and woods on our way to Baltimore one weekend, you looked out the window…
Rachel: God only knows what kinds of animals live in there!!
Matt: Actually, I think we have a pretty solid understanding of what animals live in the woods.
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Destination: Nowhere
Sometimes we like to take random drives through Rochester’s beautiful countryside. Or really any countryside for that matter. Driving in the car together with no particular destination is one of our favorite things to do.
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Valentines Day
I took off work yesterday and we spent the day together. You made me cinnamon french toast for breakfast while I went and bought you a fresh new rose. You got me new shoes and two lego figures that represented us. I made you a word collage and bought you wine. We went to the museum of play and then got dinner at Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse. I can tell this is going to be a very special relationship.
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Morning Texts
Almost every morning I wake up to a text message from you. The words “I love you and I hope you have a wonderful day” will never get old.
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In the Beginning…
I asked you to be my girlfriend tonight. You said “yes”.