Patrick and Ayssa had only exchanged glances and the occasional "good job" after workouts in their crossfit gym in Richmond, VA. It was not until one night in January 2021 when fate sat them next to one another during a group outing to a Mexican restaurant and TopGolf that a spark was formed. The dinner progressed with effortless energy and their friends noticed the connection. In the days following that interaction, Alyssa had coined “Gym Crush” as a nickname for Patrick to her friends. At the same time, Patrick had started asking mutual friends "Hey what do you think of Alyssa and I?". Not long after, with some positive encouragement from friends, Patrick pursued Alyssa... via Instagram direct message. The millennial male equivalent of writing a love letter, like a true romantic. Alyssa, excited and maybe a tiny bit impatient, had all but given up hope when Patrick had not asked her out directly after several weeks of talking. Patrick did not want to lose the opportunity, and took steps to arrange additional group outings where the two could get to know one another in low pressure situations with friends. Unbeknownst to Alyssa, on these "group outings", Patrick would purposely direct conversation to find out more information about Alyssa in person. After much anticipation, Patrick finally asked Alyssa out in April of 2021. Their first date followed the same template as that fateful group outing, and consisted of a driving range/bar called Drive Shack and dinner at a local favorite, Jack Brown's. After dinner they sat in Patrick's car for hours talking and laughing. Their first date was 10 hours long. These long dates would be a theme for the two, whether it was hiking, eating late night cheesecake, or post workout meals, the two could be seen enjoying each other's company and getting to know one another almost every day. Patrick decided to throw a stick in the road and the two had their first hurdle as Patrick's dream job in Washington came to fruition. His move to the other side of the country was all but certain but not wanting to let go of the bond they had created the previous 6 months, they decided to give long distance a try. Between August 2021 and December 2022 the two travelled to see each other and made memories at national parks, coffee houses, concerts, and breweries all across the country. Finally, after falling deeper in love again and again with each new adventure and challenge, they decided that Alyssa would move to Washington and Patrick knew this was the person he wanted to marry. Patrick and Alyssa moved in together in Olympia, WA in April 2023. On June 3rd, 2023 Patrick proposed, kneeling in the snow, in front of Mt. Rainier on the Nisqually Vista Trail. Patrick and Alyssa are excited to be able to share in the celebration and commitment of their union with family and friends in the place their story started, Richmond, VA.