We’ve had our fair share of couples featured on the Muna blog that met on dating apps like Match.com. For Carrington and Schnelle, the story is a bit different.
Schnelle signed up for Match.com back in 2014 for just that – she was looking for a perfect match. At the time, Carrington was working for a start-up that was researching algorithms. Since he was the only single one on the team, he volunteered to join Match.com. Then he stumbled on a photo of Schnelle.
“When I saw Schnelle’s profile I thought she was gorgeous. She was the only person I met on Match.” – Carrington. Although they went on three dates, the relationship didn’t move forward and they parted ways. It wasn’t until a chance meeting four years later that their relationship began to blossom. With the help of Coterie member Hermela of Behind the Design Events, Schnelle and Carrington are actively planning for their April 2021 wedding. Scroll down to see all the fun photos and read more about their love story.
- Couple: Schnelle and Carrington
- Wedding date: April 24, 2021
- Engagement Session location:
How did you meet?
Schnelle: We met on match.com in 2014. I think we went on 3 dates and I decided I was all set.
Carrington: Let’s rewind. Schnelle was on Match because she was looking for a partner. I was on Match because I was researching algorithms for a startup. I was the only member of the team that was single so I was voluntold to get on the site. When I saw Schnelle’s profile I thought she was gorgeous. She was the only person I met on Match. After three dates I was overly excited about the possibility of it turning into something more. I was a tad bit crushed when she said she was all set.
Schnelle: Fast forward to 2018 we randomly bump into each other at the premiere of Black Panther in Boston. We chatted briefly and didn’t follow up with each other. Then during the summer of 2018, I received a random text from a number that wasn’t in my phone. I didn’t bother replying because nowhere in my life does responding to a random dude texting you lead to anything good. Maybe 3 weeks later I get a call from a number I didn’t recognize. Surprisingly I picked up. It was Carrington telling me he was returning my phone call. I tell him I didn’t call his number and it wasn’t even possible because his number wasn’t in my phone. I was a bit short.
Carrington: When Schnelle called me I was elated. I was in the middle of a performance and right after the performance I didn’t shake hands or greet the audience and ran to my car to call Schnelle back. To my misfortune, Schnelle proceeded to argue with me about how she didn’t call me. After that conversation, I was crushed again. But then Schnelle texted me back about how sorry she was and I knew at that moment I better go for it. I asked her out to brunch.
Schnelle: We went to brunch at Stephanie’s on Newbury and we had a really great conversation and it was a wrap after that.
The proposal
Schnelle: We went to Belize for my birthday celebration. We went out for dinner and on the way back Carrington suggested we should go walk on the beach. We had just pulled into the parking lot of the hotel where the beach is literally right there. I’m thinking we are headed to the beach immediately as it was already getting dark.
I’m not putting two and two together. He says he wants to go back to the room to put stuff away. I’m confused because I have ALL his stuff in my purse but sure I guess we don’t need a wallet to go to the beach.
Carrington: I forgot the ring and needed to get it from the room.
Schnelle: We get to the hotel room and he is fumbling with the door. I’m complaining because the mosquitos are on steroids in Belize. I’m literally sitting in a fog of mosquitos while he is taking forever to open the door. I complain that mosquitos are the worse and their lives suck. He says to me, “Well you know who has worse life?” I ask him and he says mayflies. He continues to say they basically are born, procreate, and die in 5 days. I look at him in disbelief. He tells me to look it up.
Challenge excepted!! I’m getting my Ph.D. in mayflies now and reading the entire wiki on the couch. I hear him fumbling around but I’m not paying attention to him because Mayflies are of the utmost importance. I pause to look up at some point and I see him with his book bag and his headphones. It looked odd to me and I guess he saw my expression and he said something to the effect of he was putting his headphones in the room safe because he wasn’t sure on the warranty. That made no sense to me but whatever I’m writing my thesis on mayflies.
Carrington: The ring box was in my headphone case which was in the safe which she caught me getting. We are finally ready to go to the beach and as we are walking he is talking about the breeze, the sun, the stars but I’m rattling off all the cool facts I found out about mayflies. We get to the beach and I’m still in awe of these mayflies and not paying attention to him at all. He lets me have my nerd moment and then declares we should do five things. Five things is when we share 5 things about what we enjoyed/appreciate about our time together. I reluctantly pull away from the dissertation I’m preparing on mayflies and share my five things. Now Carrington goes to share his five things and my ears perk up. The same way I was getting a Ph.D. in mayflies is how he was into his five things. It was beautiful what he shared and it was so in-depth this time around. He was telling me about how much and why he loves me.
After we hang out for a bit he asks if I’m ready to go. I say sure. We stand up to leave and I’m ahead of him. He pulls my hand and says he forgot something. He is forgetful so still not putting two and two together. I turn around and angle my head up because he is way taller than me. He isn’t there and I’m confused. Then I look down and he is on his knee with the ring. I was in such shock I just screamed and said oh my god about 100 times. Then I said , “Yes! No take backs!”
Describe your engagement session. Did you have a theme?
Schnelle: There wasn’t a theme until I remembered I had a picnic basket and then it kind of snowballed after that. We knew we wanted to wear African outfits to celebrate my Liberian heritage of which my mom made. We ended up having 3 outfit changes!
What did you do on your first date?
Schnelle: Stephanie’s on Newbury in Boston. We had brunch which is our favorite meal. Then we walked to the garden in the Boston Public Library and then we went to the Public Garden. We were feeling each other.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
Travel!
How has wedding planning been so far?
Schnelle: We haven’t been doing much planning as we have a great wedding planner. I’m a little sad though due to COVID and that in MA currently no dancing is allowed. We’re just doing my best to make lemonade.
Tell us what you’re looking forward to most on the wedding day.
Schnelle: Besides marrying him…my Dress! My mom is making it. Carrington: Celebrating our wedding with friends and family!
Vendors
- Planner: Hermela – Behind the Design
- Photographer: David Hill – Together Forever Films
such a cute story they are made for each other
they look so cute and soo in love
such a great story they made me believe in soul mates and fate
I am so very happy our son has found true, long lasting 💘 love. I couldn’t have picked a more beautiful young lady. Everytime we speak and I ask how is Schnelle you can feel the smile through the phone. Keep making those happy memories!!! ❤❤ you both.
I love it! Yes no take backs! Lol. What a beautiful story! I don’t think I knew the match .com part. Can’t wait to see what more beautiful things life has in store for you guys.
Such a great story! Y’all are such a great match and so glad to see you happy GP!