Digital ·
Let's Fall in Love: A Good Grit Reader Story
Words by Hilary Harmon
Matt and I's love story started like any good twenty-first-century romance, on a dating site, Bumble. After talking for a few days, he took me out on our first date to The Bookhouse Pub off Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta. Known for its extensive beer list and addicting chicharrones, we had a great time getting to know one 
another and sharing a few beers and laughs. Similar to me, I quickly learned that his family means the world to him, especially his little sister, Claire, who's serving as a missionary in Scotland.
another and sharing a few beers and laughs. Similar to me, I quickly learned that his family means the world to him, especially his little sister, Claire, who's serving as a missionary in Scotland. When the evening ended, I returned to my condo and immediately called my best friend to give her the full run down. I was smitten and couldn't wait to see him again. I couldn't wait to see where this led.
His selflessness, generosity and effortless charisma drew me in almost immediately. And from the start, we've been really close and it's been a relationship unlike anything I've ever experienced before. Within 6 months of dating he had all but moved into my little 1920s condo in Virginia-Highland. We quickly realized that my former bachelorette pad would never have enough space to house all of our things (plus the dog) so we began looking for a home to buy. We settled on a sweet 1920s bungalow in Benteen Park, full of charm and complete with a big backyard for us to entertain friends and family—one of our favorite hobbies. After celebrating our two-year anniversary this past September, we planned a week-long trip over Thanksgiving break to Barcelona where his sister could come down and visit with us a for a few days.
From exploring the cities many squares and indulging in churros and every plate of patatas bravas we could get our hands on, to a winery tour in Spain's Penedes region, we looked forward to showing off this beautiful city to Claire when she arrived a few days later.
On our last day, we toured one of Gaudi's famed urban parks, Park Guell, and on the colorful steps that look like they've been peeled from the pages of a fairy tale, he got down on one knee and proposed.
I knew from some of our first dates that I wanted to marry Matt. He's everything I've ever wanted in a best friend and partner. I can't wait to spend my life by his side to experience whatever adventure he has planned for us next.
To bring our love story full circle (and back stateside), we're exchanging vows on the street where it all began atop Ponce City Market this November.