We met at a Phi Mu and TKE social during our sophomore year at Miami University. Patrick walked up to me after recognizing me from our freshman dorm, Thomson Hall. While reminiscing our favorite memories from our quaint dorm, we came to realize how much we have in common and how much we both love to laugh. After a few hours, Patrick walked me back to my dorm and we met again the next morning...turns out we would be in the same accounting class that semester and every semester after that too! We became great study partners throughout college and continued to build our relationship. Oxford holds a very special place in our hearts and every visit back reminds us of our adventures together in that small town.

Since the beginning of our relationship, we learned that being apart meant needing to work a little harder to make time for one another. After graduation, we each moved back home to Cleveland and Chicago. FaceTime dates became more regular and late nights in the airport only led to more excitement to see each other. Long distance was hard, but after 2 years, we officially finished that chapter of our story as Patrick moved to Chicago!

2020 was a year full of surprises. Patrick had been waiting for the right time to propose and COVID-19 didn't make that easy. On August 8th, he planned the best Saturday including brunch at Stray Hen in Elmhurst where we ate our favorite, a flight of Belgian waffles and drank guava mimosas! After brunch, we drove downtown to meet up with friends from Miami and get drinks at J Parker (at least that was the plan according to Patrick). Since we were early, Patrick suggested that we go on a walk through Lincoln Park. We walked into the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond and the first thing I noticed was all the butterflies flying around. The gardens were beautiful and we continued walking until we reached a shady spot under a tree. Patrick turned with the biggest smile and I started to cry, realizing this was our moment. I immediately said YES and both of our families jumped out from behind the bushes to congratulate us! We were joined by more friends back at Patrick's apartment ready to celebrate the future Gulick's!!