Stefanie & Matthew
StefanieCoutley
&MatthewNorland
November82025
Houston, MN
Our Story
How We Met
How We Met: The Nacho Love Story
Like all great modern love stories, ours began with a swipe. On a chilly Sunday evening, both of us found ourselves on Bumble—one of us looking for true love, the other mostly just bored and avoiding laundry.
After a few witty exchanges (and one accidental double-text that could have been embarrassing but was thankfully charming instead), we agreed to meet in person. Neither of us was in the mood for fancy dinners or awkward small talk over overpriced cocktails, so we went for something more... authentic: nachos, sweats, and a spontaneous trip to buy dog toys.
Yes, you read that right.
We met at a casual spot, both of us proudly dressed in our coziest, least-date-appropriate sweatpants and leggings. It was the kind of outfit that says, If you don’t run away now, this might actually work. Over a massive plate of nachos (seriously, it could have fed a small village), we bonded over our mutual love of dogs, sarcasm, and our shared inability to eat neatly. There was cheese everywhere—on the table, on our faces, possibly in our hair. Romantic, right?
Then, in what can only be described as a peak "us" moment, we decided to go to the pet store. Why? Because impulse decisions are the foundation of any great relationship, and also, one of us had a dog who obviously needed a new toy. We spent an unreasonable amount of time squeaking plush animals and debating the merits of rope toys versus rubber bones. We may or may not have gotten competitive over who could find the best one.
By the end of the night, we had full hearts, happy stomachs, and a fluffy purple octopus for Rosie.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how nachos, sweatpants, and a shared love of ridiculous dog accessories turned into something much bigger. 💛🐶
The Proposal
The Proposal: Pasta, Nachos & Forever
He always said their love story deserved to be celebrated properly. So when the time came to propose, he made sure to honor where they started while showing just how far they’d come.
He called it a “surprise day,” which began with him recreating their second date by cooking the same pasta dish at home—complete with nearly dropping the sauce lid in the sink. Then, they curled up with their dogs and watched the movie, the same one where a year prior she contemplated resting her head on his shoulder.
Next, he took her to their favorite nacho spot—sweatpants required, just like their first date. They laughed over a massive plate of nachos, wandered the pet store pressing squeaky toys, and, of course, brought home unnecessary dog supplies.
Back at home, she thought the night was winding down—until he told her to close her eyes. When she opened them, she saw a photo on the screen: her engagement ring placed on her father’s and grandfather’s grave.
“I couldn’t ask them in person,” he said softly, “but I wanted to do it the right way. I hope, wherever they are, they’re nodding their heads and saying I’m good enough for you.”
By the time she looked back, he was on both knees (because, well, she is a little short).
“I love you. I choose you. I want to keep recreating moments like this for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?”
Through tears, laughter, and the excited barks of their dogs, she said yes.
And just like that, their love story—built on nachos, sweatpants, pasta, movies and dog toys—had its most beautiful chapter yet.