Like the beginning of all great, timeless romances, Patrick and Mary met on a dating app. Their profiles connected as they were a world away from each other — Patrick at home in Austin and Mary traveling with family in Spain. His first message hit her inbox right as she looked up at the stained glass of La Sagrada Familia, a detail that Mary would later romanticize. They met in person two weeks later, on May 4, at Radio Coffeehouse. They ordered lattes and hid their nerves with big smiles. Maybe it was the earnest conversation, the easy laughter, or their shared love of art and albums. Maybe it was that they both thought the other was hot. Quickly, it was love, and that first date became their forever anniversary.

In February 2023, Patrick and Mary traveled to New York City. Now five years into their relationship, they had visited the city a few times together, loving to visit with friends, see art museums, and eat as much food as possible. On the morning of the 18th, Patrick suggested the two visit the New York MoMA. Mary agreed and the two braved the cold Manhattan morning. They arrived at the doors of the museum at 10 a.m. Perfect. Or, maybe not. "Our doors open at 10:30," a clerk told Patrick. "We do however allow our MoMA members access at 10." "We'll take two memberships," Patrick replied. "Wow," thought Mary, "he really wants to get out of the cold." The two strolled through the warm doors, already knowing their way around the place. "Let's start on the top floor and see the impressionists before it gets too crowded," Patrick suggested. Mary agreed. Perfect. Or, maybe not. "The top floor opens at 10:30, even for members." they were told. Never to be discouraged, they decided to wander the fourth floor instead. Mary gazed slowly at each piece while Patrick hovered by paintings near the escalator. "I feel like it's going to be a mad dash to the fifth floor at 10:30," he whispered. "Really?" Mary laughed. At exactly 10:30, they rode up to the fifth floor. Triumphant, two of the first people there. They knew this floor well. It was their favorite floor, in their favorite museum, and soon they would be in their favorite room standing in front of their favorite painting. The Matisse room, The Dance I painting. They had seen it together before, but each time felt new. It was there, looking up at the cheerful Matisse blue, when Patrick turned to Mary and said, "My first memory of you is sitting across from you on our first date and you talking about Matisse. I think this is as much privacy as I'll be able to get us ... I have something for you." The rest was a happy blur. A perfect engagement.