We are so excited to celebrate with you!

It all started on February 23, 2018. The trusty match algorithm sent notifications to both Kim and Patrick that they would be attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham for their clinical psychology internship beginning later that year. At this point, Kim began searching for information about all of her future cohort mates and it turned out there was a handsome fellow named Patrick that appeared to be single from as far as she could tell. Kim moved from Rochester, NY and Patrick from Tampa, FL. They first met at internship orientation on August 1, 2018 - how romantic! The next day, the cohort went for happy hour and Patrick noticed Kim's smile, thought she was cute, but figured she was either taken or out of his league. Over the next several months, Kim tried to convince Patrick to get a dog.... mostly so she had an excuse to flirt with him. Of course, Patrick didn't realize she was trying to flirt. Being the awkward and shy people that they both are, neither made a move. They just kept seeing each other at internship didactics and group cohort get-togethers. Then, on December 15, 2018 Patrick finally couldn't resist any longer. Following a cohort holiday party, he texted Kim to start some casual conversation. The next day, he asked her on their first date -- a trip to the mall to go shopping for family Christmas gifts. He pretended to be casual about it, but he insisted on picking her up (apparently so he could meet her dog) and had planned where to go to dinner ahead of time (something Patrick does not do often). It was a great first date, and in true Kim fashion, she made Patrick engage in conversation around the NYT 36 questions to fall in love. Well... I guess it worked :).

Patrick picked Kim up from the Tampa airport after her early morning flight to visit him (they were each completing their postdoctoral fellowships in different states - Kim in Maryland and Patrick in Florida). Kim had been hopeful for an engagement the past several visits, so she was trying not to get her hopes up too much. The day before, Kim had suggested that they go to brunch when she arrived, so they went to brunch. Patrick was acting completely normal and was as cool as a cucumber. So naturally, Kim thought there was no way he was going to propose. After brunch (which had the best bacon, btw), they returned to Patrick's apartment and began working on a new puzzle, a hobby they had developed during quarantine. (Fun fact: Kim got to live with Patrick for 7 weeks at the beginning of the pandemic -- thank you COVID for the unexpected quality time together.) A little ways into the puzzle, Patrick disappeared for a minute. He returned with a reel viewer that he said he got for Christmas one year and had just found in his closet. Kim flipped through the pictures, which were of Patrick as a child. She noticed he had another disc so she asked "what's that one?" Patrick switched out the disc and Kim flipped through the story of their relationship - where it started, how it's going, where we're headed. The last picture said "hey Kim, I have another question for you" and he got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. Of course, she said YES... while crying uncontrollably and forgetting to even look at the ring. Patrick reminded her of the ring and placed it on her finger. They spent the rest of the afternoon sharing the news with family and friends and enjoying a romantic dinner on the water in Tampa. Then, they went on a mini-getaway for the next few days where they cooked meals, made bonfires, kayaked, saw manatees, and enjoyed quality time with each other celebrating the occasion! Patrick really outdid himself on that one.