Let's start this love story at the beginning. Sara and Patrick first met through an online dating platform, with not much optimism that anything special was on the horizon. Most people know the pitfalls of online dating, but from the very moment that they "swiped" each other, they knew, this time it was different. Things felt special right from the start. Sara was in Richmond, and Pat was in Chincoteague, but the distance couldn't keep their hearts away from each other. Their first date was at Kanpai Japanese Steakhouse, and man, were they both hooked on more than just Hibachi. Days turned into weeks, and they just knew they were experiencing something they had never before. Patrick courted Sara as hard as he possibly could, and Sara was smitten from day one. Every moment they were apart, they were thinking about the next time they'd get to see each other. Soon after Patrick mustered up the courage to ask Sara to be his girlfriend, he knew that the distance between them was only temporary. He had no choice but to move to Richmond to be with his lady. Now that they were closer, the real fun would just be beginning. We're talking museum trips, The Office trivia nights, Disney themed date nights, and super intense putt putt battles, their love continued to grow. One night, Patrick got stranded in another state 6 hours away due to travel complications, and Sara drove all the way through in the middle of the night to go pick him up. It was then that Patrick knew for sure, this was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Sara had known long before that the man of her dreams was worth the trip. In February of 2023, Patrick knew he liked it, so it was time to put a ring on it. He originally planned to pop the question in Las Vegas on vacation, but the ring arrived in Richmond, just as they touched down in Nevada. With the key to their eventual marriage halfway across the country, Pat took it as a sign that the timing wasn't meant to be. He regrouped and partnered with Sara's close friends to plan an extravagant display of his love for her at Saude Creek Vineyards in Lanexa, Va. Sara was already there for a girl's day with her friends. Little did she know, that everyone was in on what would end up being one of the most magical days of her life. Little did she know that everything her and her friends did that day was carefully and strategically planned so that she wouldn't see the surprise that was to come. Little did she know that her future fiancé and her brother were en route to crash her girl's day. Little did she know that Patrick hired a photographer to take pictures of her friends at the winery. Little did she know that as soon as she turned around after taking those pictures, her whole world was about to change. Patrick got down on one knee, and asked Sara if she would do him the honor of being silly and goofy with him for the rest of their lives. Her answer was a no brainer. They were destined to be together forever. Wildly enough, this love story has only just begun. The next chapter involves declaring their love through marriage, but so far, there is one large takeaway. Sometimes love blossoms from the most unexpected places, but you'll never know unless you take the chance, because sometimes you're just one match away from your soulmate. Stay tuned.