our Story

Miguel AndrÉs TreviÑ0
+
Dylan James Echter

Sure, we could begin this story with a series of passing glances and missed chances.

We could talk about how Mat and Dylan lived just six blocks from each other for five years and never ran into each other.

We could talk about how for two of those years, Mat and Dylan both commuted from the same neighborhood in D.C. across the river to Arlington, VA, and worked in buildings directly across the street from one another and still somehow never ran into each other.

We could talk about how for years, Mat and Dylan attended the same festivals and events in Washington, D.C.. Or how they frequented the same neighborhood bars. And yet it still took an app for them to meet.

It could be a poignant story about how small a world it is. Or perhaps how what you’re looking for is right under your nose.

But why not skip to the fun part?

This story Takes place in Florence, italy.

There was a plan

Mat had shown everyone (but Dylan) the ring he picked out, months ahead of time.

He knew the trip they were planning to Italy was the place. They were going to Lake Como for the wedding of one of Dylan’s closest childhood friends. And they were planning to travel to Rome to tour for several days after the wedding. A perfect place.

He knew the day he wanted to propose: Sunday in Rome, because

There was a plan.

And like all plans, none of that happened.

MAT Called an Audible

  1. The ring Mat picked out was delayed and did not arrive before the trip.

  2. Mat and Dylan added a last minute stop in Florence that threw off the itinerary.

  3. Mat got too excited to wait until Sunday.

So on the train just outside of Florence, just four hours after leaving Lake Como, Dylan awoke from one of the least attractive, mouth-open, slightly snoring travel sleeps ever.

Mat was watching the sunset and crying.

Dylan asked what was wrong.

Mat said “I’m terrible at surprises, and I don’t have the ring.” And then he popped the question.

Mat gave Dylan a ring sizer that only fit over his pinky. It was all he had on him.

Immediate yes.

Mat’s New Plan:

  • Get “temporary” rings in Florence.

  • Let Mat do a “real proposal with a ring,” sometime in Florence. Dylan insisted the first one was perfect. Mat still wanted a do-over.

  • The timing would be a surprise.

And now, a very special presentation of:

How to get engaged

in six easy steps

  • Step 1: The Knee.

  • Step 2: The Ring.

  • Step 3: The "Now?"

  • Step 4: The "Obviously."

  • Step 4B: The Onlooker

  • Step 5: The Smooch.

  • Step 6: The Forever.

“
Can you take my wine back and pass it to me through the window again? They ruined my tiktok. “

- Girl who was behind us filming a Tiktok at the wine window when Mat proposed

And that’s the story

Mat and Dylan got rings at the gold shops on the Ponte Vecchio, celebrated with Aperol Spritzes and cured meats, and even ran into actor Jeff Goldblum who blessed the marriage.

Now let’s party