Leandra & Matthew
Couple #3
Leandra: He won my heart when... he took me to Red River, New Mexico and made me feel like were the only two in this world. From that day on I knew that this was the man I was going to marry! He treats me like a princess!
Matthew: She won my heart.... from the first moment our paths crossed, with her sweet smile and beautiful brown eyes. When I took her for a ride on my tractor and around my farm, I knew that I wanted to be with a lady like this, someone that enjoyed the same things in life as me.
Leandra: Born in Albuquerque
Matthew: Born in Albuquerque
Leandra: Graduated from Belen High School
Matthew: Graduated from Los Lunas High School
Date we met: August 2, 2003
Date we were engaged: December 24, 2009
More About Us
1. In what New Mexico City do you live?
Matt and I live in Los Lunas, however I am originally from Belen, NM. I graduated from Belen High School in 2005 and Matt graduated from Los Lunas High School in 1996. Matt and I love living in Los Lunas since we are around so many friends and family in which we cherish greatly. Additionally, the “small town” community feel that we experience in Los Lunas is unmatched by anywhere else that we have been. We will definitely make our home here after we get married
2. How did you meet and how long have you been together?
One fall day I was visiting my mother who was working at the University of New Mexico, and as I was leaving her office I noticed a guy walking from the parking lot in my direction. As we crossed paths we made eye contact and smiled at each other. Matt went into my mother's office and she mentioned that her daughter had just left and wanted him to meet me. Matt described the girl that he saw in the parking lot and at that point my mother realized he was describing me. She called me back to her office so I could meet him and we were introduced for the first time. We exchanged numbers and began to talk on the phone and started to date shortly after. Finally, on December 24, 2009, the right time arrived! Matt and I have been dating for 2 years and 9 months and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don't thank God for bringing us together.
3. What do you both do for fun in New Mexico?
Matt and I love to do all of the outdoor activities in which New Mexico has to offer. We also love being a part of the International Balloon Fiesta because it’s awesome how many people we get to meet who are from all over the world. Matt and I especially love to go camping with our friends and enjoy the different sights, smells, and sounds that make camping one of our favorite activities. Matt and I like to go hiking and explore the different mountains that are in and around New Mexico. We also really enjoy being with our families and being able to eat the delicious New Mexican food. Another favorite thing to do in New Mexico is to visit Matt’s grandfather at his ranch in Golden, NM because it is so relaxing and the landscape is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
4. Tell us about your occupations:
I am a full time student at the University of New Mexico, majoring in Nursing. In February, I will be applying for the Nursing Program. After graduation I will be a Registered Nurse and I can not wait to start making a difference in New Mexico. I love helping people and as a R.N. I will truly be able to give back to the community that I love. As for Matt, he is a farmer. He grows alfalfa and red and green chile. Matt became a farmer because all of his life he has been around farming and loves being on his tractor. His parents also have been farming all of their lives and the same goes for many previous generations. In all actuality, it can be said that farming is simply in Matt’s blood. He is extremely passionate about farming and being able to provide the highest quality food for his community, especially some of the best red and green chile available.
5. What was your most memorable moment together?
I think our most memorable moment together would be the day he asked me to marry him. Matt proposed to me on his farm in his chile field in Los Lunas on Christmas Eve. The way he proposed was so unique, we were picking red dry chile and while we were picking the chile Matt handed me a chile and said to open it and smell it. As I opened the chile half way I looked at him, he was on his knee and said open it up all the way as I got to the bottom of the chile, there I saw the sparkle of a beautiful diamond engagement ring and he asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes! It could not have been more perfect or more memorable.
6. What would you like voters to know about you?
I would like all the voters to know that we greatly appreciate the opportunity to be one of the 5 finalists for the 2010 New Mexico Dream Wedding. We will forever have this memory close to our hearts. I would also like the sponsors to know how much we appreciate the hard work they put in to making this “Dream Wedding” a possibility for Matt and I. Furthermore, I would like the voters to know how grateful we are for them because without their help, this opportunity would not be possible. We would be absolutely honored to represent New Mexico as their 2010 Dream couple.
7. What do you look forward to the most during your dream honeymoon in Paris?
Paris!! Wow!! That would be the best dream honeymoon in the world. Paris is amazingly romantic and would be an unforgettable way to celebrate our marriage and our love for one another. I think Matt and I would love to be able to experience other cultures in which the world has to offer. Matt and I love going to museums and appreciating paintings and fine art. We also look forward to making many more unforgettable memories and being able to share them with our friends and family. Matt and I are honored and feel extremely fortunate to even get the chance of being considered for the dream honeymoon. It would be a one in a lifetime experience for the both of us.
8. Why do you deserve to win the 2010 New Mexico Dream Wedding?
I think Matt and I deserve to win the 2010 New Mexico Dream wedding because we love New Mexico and we love each other! We absolutely love everything that has to do with New Mexico such as the culture, the food, the outdoor activities, the weather, the scenery, the gorgeous mountains, and the International Balloon Fiesta among other things. Matt and I were born and raised here in New Mexico and we will raise our children here one day. New Mexico is notorious for its green and red chile. What could be better than having two people to represent the New Mexico Dream Couple than a farmer that actually grows red and green chile and the woman who loves him?! Thank you once again for this amazing opportunity, we will never forget this experience.
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