Important distinction here. Below is how we met, again. To start, let's paint the picture of how we first met. We didn't. We just kind of went to high school together, but Patrick did get kicked out of one of Ryan's volleyball matches for "cheering too hard" whereas Ryan, on the other hand, never got kicked out of a hockey or lacrosse game - some fan. Go Lakers, though! Fast-forward to Labor Day Weekend, 2019. If there's one summer weekend to be in Skaneateles, this is it; whoever can come home, does come home. It started with co-maid of honor Cassie Berg picking up Patrick for a day at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards with friends. In turn, Cassie convinced Ryan to meet us despite her not feeling too well. After hours of hard apple cider and orchard breeze cocktails (and Cassie falling off a ledge and scraping her arm), we began to head back to Skan. However, a stranger randomly mentioned how cute we look in front of the antique truck on the hill and suggested she take a "couple's photo." We obliged and it's still our best picture to this day. The day shifted to a live concert by our wedding band, The Mere Mortals, at the Skaneateles Field Days (if you know, you know). Between the dancing and the laughs and the tap Blue Light poured by groomsman and former volunteer fireman, Keith Buehler, we found ourselves strolling down to The Pub with all of our friends. After more blue lights and Cher & Avicii on the TouchTunes, we went our separate ways - Ryan home with Cassie and Patrick being driven to an after party at the home of his neighbor, none other than Bravo TV's original Queer Eye for The Straight Guy celebrity interior designer, Thom Filicia. Patrick had a great idea and called Ryan to invite her over, with the help of Thom's convincing on the phone. Somehow, Ryan found the only Uber in Upstate New York at 2am and arrived shortly after for sangria and dancing with a touch of interior design. The next day, we went our separate ways, for real this time - Ryan back to Boston and Patrick to Greenville. Next came weeks of conversations before Patrick had one last trick up his sleeve. He invited Ryan on an official first date...to a wedding in New York City. We were just getting started.

If anyone knows Patrick, then you know he's a logistics man. There is no better example than the following, as he meticulously planned a night we will never forget. What Patrick couldn't plan for, however, is the weather to hit record lows in wind chill (-34 degrees) and that he planned to drop to one knee in the Boston Seaport, right on the water. Up until this point, Ryan thought they were headed into the city for a dinner at one of Ryan's favorite Mediterranean spots - Patrick even made a reservation and might be blacklisted from OpenTable for not showing. We parked at 5:10pm, 20 minutes before our reservation and knowing Ryan so well, Patrick wasn't surprised when she asked, "Hey do you wanna go see the water?" despite it being dangerously cold. Next, Patrick texted his accomplice - none other than Emily Wood, Ryan's other maid of honor. Emily, prepped with hand-warmers, had been staged at a bar since 4pm and was ready to attack the mission immediately upon our arrival. As we walked towards the water, Ryan said "Is that Emily?" and despite the frigid weather, thought nothing of it considering we run into Emily constantly around Boston. As they hugged and said hi, Patrick dropped to one knee and Emily spun Ryan around to see a surprise. The wait was over, she said yes! As we cried and laughed and hugged (for warmth), Patrick let Ryan know that her mom had traveled in and was joining us and Emily for dinner at a different restaurant. As Patrick opened the door for the ladies, because he's a gentleman of course, Ryan laid eyes on the next surprise of the night - many of our best friends and family waiting for our arrival. And Patrick laid eyes on his brother-in-law, Aaron, who had a cold beer waiting for him. Together, we were overjoyed and thrilled with how much support and love we were showered with. Unbeknownst to Ryan, Patrick had been coordinating flights and accommodations since Christmas for future bridesmaids, friends, and family flying from Denver, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC and driving from Syracuse, Long Island, and all over New England. With Pat’s mom taking the cake flying from Florida with 12 hours notice. It is a night we will never forget and can't wait to celebrate with all of our friends and family on June 15th!