It all started with a blind date that almost didn't happen. Sometime before we met, our mutual friend, Kathryn, pitched the prospect of introducing us... - When Kathryn proposed the idea to Lindy of meeting her friend Pat, Lindy could only envision the SNL character, which made her nervous. Kathryn planned a group get-together at Wine Down Wednesday at Urban Flats in Winter Park on June 24, 2009. Lindy's anticipation burgeoned. Patrick's nerves fluttered. Kathryn's memory failed. She forgot about it! Fortunately, Lindy and Patrick, both individually, texted Kathryn to make sure the introduction was still on for Wine Down Wednesday. Kathryn, sick that day, rallied to come out for the introduction and Lindy's anticipation was alleviated when Patrick walked into Urban Flats, culminating in a high-five with Kathryn for a job well done. Either the conversation was flowing or the wine was . Or both. Probably both. Definitely both. Lindy and Patrick left Wine Down for another fine establishment. This time with no chaperone! They engaged in a lively game of darts where Patrick came up with a wise wager for the winner: "If I win this game, you have to give me a kiss. If you win this game, I have to give you a kiss." They both won that game... - We dated for a few months before going separate ways for six months. We reconnected in Treasure Island, with a group of mutual friends, on Memorial Day weekend in 2010. Although we showed up separately, we drove home together, and have been driving, traveling and cruising together since.

Circa late 1970: Annetta and Oda McGaha purchase a college graduation ring for their son, Patrick McGaha, Sr. from Kaufmann's Jewelers in D.C. Mid 1971: Patrick McGaha, Sr. visits the same jeweler to purchase an engagement ring for Susan Smith. May 2018: Patrick McGaha, Jr. visits the same jeweler to purchase an engagement ring for Lindy Brewer. Nothing in the process had yet been a surprise, so Patrick was determined to throw Lindy off the tracks of any proposal plan. He dropped "mistaken" hints at faux proposal plans to suggest there would be no proposal on this trip. Meanwhile, he was conspiring with his and her mother to plan an unexpected proposal when picking up the ring in July. Patrick wouldn't propose without a ring, but how would he get the ring without Lindy's knowledge? Ah ha! The mothers would prove to play a pivotal role in the proposal plan! Here's how it transpired: 1. Patrick asked the jeweler to call Lindy the day before travel and indicate that the ring was delayed and they would be unable to pick it up on the day of arrival, as originally planned. 2. The mothers booked flights to D.C. on the same day, landed later, rented a car and drove to the jeweler to pick up the ring. 3. The proposal was planned for a dinner cruise down the Potomac, on which the mothers would surprise Lindy and help reveal the whole plan. 4. The ship crew was in on the plan and the maitre d' passed Patrick a note confirming that the mothers had been smuggled on board and were in an empty formal dinning room on the first deck. 5. Patrick slipped down to the first deck to grab the ring. Rain foiled an outdoor proposal, but the empty dining room provided an elegant backdrop. He called Lindy, telling her that he stumbled upon a private dining room that she should see. 6. Once she arrived in the dining room, she almost immediately knew what was going on. Patrick got down on a knee. Lindy said, "Yes." And the mothers popped out from the shadows. Perfect execution!