Helen + Matt

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Never ones to follow the rules, first comes love, then comes marriage didn’t apply to us. At least, not without a LOT in between. We bought a house (2015), became parents with Eli (2016), survived the pandemic (you know), doubled down on family with Ruth (2023), and here we are today. But do you know the real origin story?

We met as advisors at el Centro de Estudiantes in 2010. In fact, while Helen loves to dispute this fact, it was at Matt’s recommendation that they hired her. She owes him everything.

Our friendship developed over “the Food Project,” a desperate attempt to engage our students at the end of a long school year, and a slightly more desperate attempt to spend time together outside of school hours. It deepened over “chance encounters” while Christmas shopping on South Street or jogging on the Schuylkill Banks and evolved during late night (OK, 9pm) Royal Tavern soliloquies.

Eventually, we made it official. You know what they say: the Poconos are for lovers. But who needs a heart-shaped tub when you have the icy, jagged banks of the Brodhead Creek?

While Helen might (continue to) say that she enticed, entrapped, or even seduced Matt to join her for a calm, relaxed New Year’s party in the Pocononos, you decide for yourself. Look at this siren song:

Was she really in the captain’s chair after all? Or did she just crash her ship into his shoals, and then remain there ever since?