Erica and Patrick met in a predictable spot for those who know them: on a river. It was the early days of the pandemic, April 2020. At the time, both of them were working for different environmental groups that were part of a statewide network in Massachusetts. [Patrick swears he met Erica months earlier, at the network’s annual dinner, where they exchanged a few words. He must not have said anything memorable, since she has no recollection.] With the new rules on social distancing, their first dates were outdoors, exploring New England in spring and summer. This worked well for Erica and Patrick, both of whom are usually happier outside. A paddle trip in Boston was followed by paddling north of Boston and west of Boston. In fact, their union would have never happened if it wasn’t for the invention of the kayak long ago by the Iñupiat people of Alaska, Erica’s ancestors! Mile after mile, the two would paddle and talk and laugh, realizing they were falling in love. It was quite magical for Patrick, who had never met anyone as remarkable and kind and funny as Erica in all his travels, let alone someone who liked him back. We can also assume—because she eventually said yes—that Erica also found magic in those early paddling trips. In all their time adventuring and spending time with each other’s families, not once did either of them want to be anywhere else. They are grateful to have found their life partner in each other. With all the uncertainty in the world, they are certain of one thing: it is good to have someone who understands you and loves you. [If they sometimes find you to be funny, it’s a bonus.] Erica & Patrick– or Atmaguq & PJ, or Schmerica and Pat—are looking forward to celebrating their engagement and upcoming wedding(s) with their families, and to seeing their friends soon as the world opens up again.

By December 2021, Erica and Patrick were making plans to leave New England. Erica accepted a graduate fellowship to pursue her passion for studying botany in Syracuse, New York. Patrick was also excited to return to New York, where his career began during law school. To celebrate after their jobs in Massachusetts ended, the two embarked on a trip to the Mediterranean, first to Malta and then to Sicily. Patrick proposed in Sicily, at a nature reserve on an island in Taormina. While they were sitting on the beach, looking for beach glass and waiting for the tide to drop so they could wade to the island, Patrick hid the ring in the sand. He asked Erica to dig in a certain spot. Luckily, she found it. When they came back from Europe, the two celebrated an early Christmas with Pat's family, then got in their car and headed south to celebrate with Erica's. One highlight was the beautiful holiday appetizer spread and mouth-watering King crab they were graciously treated to by Erica's Mom as a Christmas/engagement dinner. She even had Southern black eyed peas and collard greens as an accompaniment to ring in the New Year. The other special highlight was celebrating their engagement and spending Christmas Day with most of Erica’s siblings, Dad and Olga, Nana, and her late grandfather, Pawpaw. Erica's Dad rented a huge AirBnB for everyone to be together. Pawpaw made a low-country boil for Christmas Eve, and beignets for Christmas breakfast (his tradition). Nana made a delicious, traditional ham feast for Christmas dinner. They will be forever grateful for that family time, and specifically to have spent time celebrating their engagement with Pawpaw shortly before he passed away. There is still a photo of Erica's engagement ring on Pawpaw's phone. They will always remember Pawpaw’s stories about his long and mission-driven life, helping others as a Minister and a leader in whichever community he lived.

Erica and Patrick moved to Syracuse during a freezing day in early January. Erica is now pursuing a Masters of Science in Botany at SUNY ESF, fully funded, and as a fellow in the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment. Patrick is planning his next steps, and continuing his critical work with different organizations, tribal groups and nonprofits.