Love in Sterling Heights: The Unlikely Story of Matt and Lisa Fein
In the vibrant community of Sterling Heights, a love story blossomed in a way that might seem completely out of a romantic film. Years before the world knew about online dating, two hopeful singles found each other through a program called the Beshert Connection, set in place by Temple Israel.
The Beshert Connection: A Unique Approach to Dating
Back in the day, singles would pay a modest fee of $36 to partake in this innovative dating service. Instead of swiping left or right on a dating app, participants would flip through physical binders that contained lists of singles, categorized by age! Each single had two pages filled with juicy details about themselves. It was a simple yet effective way to find romance.
For Matt Fein, it was nothing short of divine intervention that led him to hear about this unique opportunity. Recently relocated from East Lyme, Connecticut, to Sterling Heights in 1995 for a job, Matt received a surprise welcome package that introduced him to the local Jewish community. “To this day, I don’t know where it came from. Who even knew I was Jewish?” Matt mused. But curiosity got the better of him, and he signed up for the Beshert Connection.
A Flicker Turned into Flame
Shortly after Matt joined, Lisa Sandler, who grew up in Oak Park, was browsing through the binders herself. After spotting Matt, she decided to express her interest. “Actually, he’s four years younger than me, but I figured that the worst that could happen would be that he’d say no,” Lisa recalled with a chuckle.
Weeks passed, and Lisa had almost forgotten about her interest when, out of the blue, Matt finally responded! “Actually, I was interested but I was extremely busy at the time,” said Matt. With both of them navigating the maze of young adulthood, their paths had taken longer to intertwine than either had expected.
First Date and a Historic Moment
Once they finally connected, Lisa and Matt started chatting on the phone, leading them to go for coffee at Starbucks in West Bloomfield. Their first official outing was a concert watching Kenny Loggins—but the night was not just about music. After the date, Lisa received a call from her mom that changed the global narrative. “Quick, turn on the news! Princess Diana was in a car accident…”
From Friends to Forever
Fast forward six months, and Matt had love on his mind. He wanted to propose but found himself without the glory of the internet for some ring guidance. One day he found himself at the Farmington Hills Library, eyeing a book titled “How to Choose the Right Engagement Ring.” He quickly hid it behind his back when he caught Lisa’s eye, sharing a nervous smile with the librarian.
Matt’s friends concocted a plan to help him with the proposal, cleverly slipping the engagement ring into a plastic bag hidden inside a brownie. “I’m so glad that didn’t happen to me,” Lisa laughs, sharing her relief at dodging any tooth injuries like those in cautionary tales she had heard.
Tying the Knot
When the moment finally came, Lisa was taken aback. “We’d never discussed getting engaged; I was completely surprised!” she says. They married in December 1998 at Temple Israel, with the congregation thrilled that the Beshert Connection had worked wonders yet again.
Life Today as the Fein Family
Fast forward to the present, and the couple now lives happily in West Bloomfield. Matt works as an engineer for General Motors, while Lisa has her hands full as an exercise physiologist, personal trainer, and group fitness instructor. Their son, Corey, 20, is pursuing urban planning at Michigan State University.
Happiness flourishes in their home, and every now and then, when arguments arise, the playful jab still hangs around: “Well, what do you expect; we only paid $36!”
This sweet tale reminds us all that love can blossom in the most unexpected places, even without the internet and swiping left and right.
