We started dating on December 22, 2015 in our junior year of high school. Andrew asked me to be his girlfriend with a necklace after he took me to a birthday dinner at Perry's at La Centera in Katy. Though I couldn't imagine it at 17 years old, Andrew would continue to be as thoughtful and caring for the next 8 years of our relationship as he was on our first official date. We spent our high school days studying till 2 in the morning together on facetime for our multiple AP classes, cheering each other on in our respective sports/activities, and creating special memories at our Senior Homecoming, Prom, and Graduation. As Senior spring was approaching, we were fortunate to both get into the University of Texas to pursue our respective engineering degrees. It was a dream come true for me -- to be able to move to Austin and go to the ~best~ school with my very best friend. Andrew and I loved our years at UT. We were both incredibly driven and focused on our classes, but also found time to grow as individual people and as a couple. Our favorite college memories consist of all the fun nights out we had at our sorority and fraternity date events/formals, our many date nights spent trying new restaurants in Austin, and our days and nights spent in West Campus with our friends and favorite people. Our time at UT was really when Andrew and I realized that we had something special. Amidst the exciting new city, new friendships, and new experiences, we both realized that the most important thing was our relationship to each other. Even then, we knew that the love we had for each other would be able to face any challenges that came our way (& spoiler alert - it would!).

Just when college couldn't get any better, we had to say goodbye to the 40 Acres and take on the real world. Despite tough economic conditions, Patricia was able to find a chemical engineering job that allowed her to travel all over the country in 8 month stints - with her first being in Lake Jackson. At this point, I had already been applying to graduate school, and ended up choosing to attend the University of Washington in Seattle to pursue my masters degree. Unfortunately, this meant a long distance relationship for at least two years between the furthest NW city in the lower 48 and Texas -- a little longer than a walk to Skyloft. Funnily enough, we never shared a doubt that we would get through it and were excited that both of us were following our aspirations and goals. After her first rotation, Patricia was able to get a rotation in Hoboken, NJ, just outside of NYC. Our monthly visits turned into mini-vacations as we got to show each other the very different, but equally fascinating cities that we lived in. As time passed and daily FaceTime calls became routine, we were so close to the end of the two years. We spent countless hours playing out the scenarios of how we could get back in the same city to live our lives together. Patricia ran into an incredible opportunity to work at Tesla in Austin, which she took and made her way back down Texas! After finding a great fitting job for me down in Austin and finishing my master's degree, I drove my trusty Mazda 3 over a few mountain passes, and through countless cornfields back to the girl that makes my home! Shortly after moving back to Austin, I devised a plan and asked Patricia to marry me on December 16th. We can't wait for the rest of our lives together and look forward to celebrating with you!