Picture this: IML Chicago, 2012. Black and Blue Party. Via mutual friends, Brady and Matthew were introduced briefly. The moment is seared into our memory.

Brady and Matt re-meet through mutual friends. But this time, it's in same recovery fellowship Matthew has been active in for 20 years.

While Matthew is on a trip to Mt. Rushmore, Brady shamelessly yet shyly flirts with him online.

Our first weeks of dating.

After some time together, Brady's first ever real date, exploring, and lots of laughter, Matt collared Brady (they entered into a committed relationship). It happened to be Halloween, and they have been together since. This was from a party that night.

Matthew and Brady's first Christmas

Matthew and Brady Move into their first home together.

Brady gets to know Matt's piano :)

Matthew meets Bradys brother Scott and his [then] fiancé Nicole in their home town of Geneva, Illinois .

Matthew and Bradys first vacation together. We were on the first Vacaya cruise. The ship was only half-full because of covid.

At the same event they met at - ten years later - Brady played his biggest gig up to that point. Secretly, Matthew worked with the event planner (thanks, Tyler and Matthew!), and proposed in front of 2000 leatherdaddys, and dozens of our friends, to Brady's surprise.

We will meet with you -- our family, friends, and communities to announce our commitment together.