We're having a wedding!

It was Halloween weekend 2020, and Patrick was in the middle of his Master’s program in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue. He and his friends decided to take a much-needed break and headed to Indianapolis for “Halloweekend,” staying in Broad Ripple for the festivities. Courtney, freshly graduated from Butler and working in Indy, made spontaneous plans to go out with her sorority little for the night. Enter: Rock Lobster. Courtney didn’t wear a costume (saving it for actual Halloween night), but Patrick’s group definitely brought the Halloween spirit. She met a priest, Robin, and a shark; an oddball trio she won’t soon forget. And then she met the final member of the squad: Clark Kent, aka Patrick. They hit it off immediately and talked the rest of the night. Patrick, ever the gentleman, kept offering to buy Courtney drinks, but she refused every single time. Later on, she confessed it wasn’t because she didn’t want one, it was because she actually liked him. In her words: “I only let guys I don’t like buy me drinks so I can ditch them later. I had no intention of ditching you.” Because, obviously, Courtney is a grown, independent woman who doesn’t need a man to buy her drinks. They exchanged numbers, became fast friends, and by January 10, 2021, made it official. And now, after countless adventures (and yes, plenty of drinks together), they’re saying “I do!”

In May 2023, Courtney suffered a stress fracture in her femoral neck (10/10, would not recommend). The cause? A treadmill and a body that had clearly had enough. PSA: Listen to your body. Treadmills do not care about your hopes and dreams She went non-weight-bearing for 12 weeks (yes, 12), only to find out the fracture hadn’t healed and she’d need surgery. And just to keep things spicy, Patrick was underway the entire time. So Courtney spent those months on crutches, taking care of their two dogs (Merry & Pippin) solo, while not being able to walk. Superwoman status: confirmed. Understandably, she and Patrick had several serious talks about surgery costs and options. Then one day in August, while Courtney was sitting on the couch, Patrick casually said: “You know… we could just get married.” Courtney blinked. “Wait… is this you proposing?” Technically yes, but she made it clear: There would still be a real, one-knee proposal later. (And for the record, her mom said it was the most romantic thing he could’ve done, because hello, Tricare.) So, on September 1, 2023, they got married at the Kitsap County Courthouse with Patrick’s parents as their witnesses; an unplanned, practical, perfect start to forever. But Patrick wasn’t off the hook just yet. Fast-forward to January 1, 2024, during a New Year’s trip to Las Vegas with Courtney’s parents. After a very nerve-racking rollercoaster (that definitely doesn't go upside-down), a show, and a beautiful dinner at the Eiffel Tower restaurant, Patrick got down on one knee (for real this time) and officially proposed, ring and all. Courtney said yes (again), and Patrick admitted he was still nervous… even though they were already married. Now, after surgeries, crutches, dogs, underways, and dual proposals they can’t wait to finally celebrate with all of their favorite people. Let’s party!