Katie and Pat were visiting the University of Iowa during the summer of 2013. Katie went to see some friends of hers that went to the university, and Pat, a recent Iowa alum, made the trip out from his new home in Peoria to visit some other friends in Iowa City. Pat caught Katie's eye from first glance as he paraded around Summit with his recent winnings, 4 stuffed animals from the 'Claw Game Machine'. Both Katie and Pat had a mutual attraction for each other that night but the timing was not right. They went their separate ways and wouldn't meet again until a year later.

They re-met at American Junkie in Chicago watching the Iowa vs. Iowa State game in 2014. Although not an Iowa alum, Katie tagged along with some friends to root for the Hawkeyes. Pat was in from Peoria and met up with the group, and love must have been in the air that day because even Michigan and Ohio State fans were getting along at the bar. They started talking, laughing, and hitting it off. But things for Iowa had turned south. In the last seconds, Iowa missed a field goal and lost the game. In an attempt to dazzle Pat and distract him from the loss, Katie showed him her best tap dance moves right in the middle of the bar. It may have been the tap dancing that saved the moment (probably not), but they stayed long after the game getting to know each other. Shortly after Pat began to make more and more trips to Chicago to spend time with Katie and our relationship grew. And since their loss that day, Iowa has been undefeated against Iowa State. Coincidence? (We think not).

The relationship had gotten more serious over two years. Pat was offered a job opportunity in Miami with Caterpillar and Katie made the move along with him. They quickly found a place to be our first home together and celebrated at La Mar Restaurant on Brickell Key. Katie shortly got a new position at Ryder, and Pat took on more responsibility at work while we enjoyed the beautiful weather and city (despite escaping a few hurricanes). After a little more than a year it was time to Propose. Katie arrived home from work on a Friday to Pat playing music and with a romantic set-up at our loft apartment. Going up the stairs, Pat had laid out handwritten cards, flowers, and stuffed animals noting key steps of their relationship. They walked up reading each note, and once we reached the top, Pat got down on one knee and asked Katie, "Will you take the next big step with me? Will you marry me?" She said yes! That night we called our parents and went out to celebrate at La Mar, the same restaurant where they celebrated our move to Miami and living together. It only seemed fitting to go back to celebrate our engagement and our life ahead together. Pat and Katie have loved growing our lives together here, and we can't wait to share Miami and our big day with our friends, family, and loved ones. Love, Katie & Pat