Over 25 years ago, we met in elementary school - playing sports on the playground at recess and eventually sharing a classroom. We shared the same circle of friends until middle school where our paths diverged and we completed grade school in different school districts. We still lived a short few blocks away from each other but our lives took us in two separate directions for a while. Early 2021, we reconnected on Tinder, hoping to at least catch up with an old friend after many years. Conversations about how nerdy we both are in our respective interests (Patrick in DnD, board games, video games, football; Caitlin in DnD, video games, running, horror movies, her dog Arya) led to dates, which led to a wonderful long-term relationship. We have spent our relationship so far learning about each other, watching terrible movies, spending time with friends, hiking, swimming, kayaking, nights out at amazing restaurants, nights in with a drink and board games, antiquing, weekly trivia at our local tavern, buying and maintaining a home together, and caring for our shared doggie. We are both looking forward to future shared adventures in travel and starting a family. <3

Patrick proposed on his birthday, August 13th, 2022 with a beautiful emerald ring (pictured at the bottom of the webpage). We went out to dinner with our friends Holly and Kyle Brenkus to The Rattlesnake Club in Detroit. Patrick told me that we were going to a fancy steak and seafood restaurant for his birthday and I didn't question those plans at all! Dinner was lovely and lots of great conversations were shared amongst friends. After eating, our waitress disappeared for a while and we weren't able to pay our bills. Patrick had a few mini panic attacks about this as he watched the sunrise drop below the horizon. The original plan was to propose along the boardwalk with the sunset and some daylight but, of course, important events like this never go as planned! We finally paid our bills and decided to go walk off the food before going out for some drinks. Both couples left the restaurant holding hands - Patrick and I led the group while Holly and Kyle stayed behind (to take pictures). Along the boardwalk, Patrick found the perfect place to pop the question. He expressed how happy he was that we reconnected after such a long time, how much he enjoyed our relationship, and how he loved me before getting on his knee and asking me to marry him. Up until this conversation I was none the wiser about the proposal. I said yes! I am so happy to be sharing my future with such a great man and friend. Pictures were taken of us during the proposal with the city lights of Windsor, Canada in the background. It was a beautiful evening and one that changed our lives forever. Fun Fact: I signed for the ring when it was delivered! There were no real obvious markings or labels on the box and when I brought the package to Patrick he told me he bought some figures for his Warhammer game. I didn't question it! :)