The Roaches

Patrick and Kennedy’s story began at Ohio University, a place that quickly became the foundation of so many of their favorite memories together. During their time in Athens, they built lifelong friendships, made unforgettable memories and- ultimately- found each other. They first met during a night out with some of their closest friends in the C.I. Patrick was drawn to Kennedy’s energy and dance moves, while Kennedy couldn’t resist Patrick’s confident opening line: “You have a cute face.” The two quickly became best friends and officially began dating on October 12, 2020. What started as a college love story soon grew into a life built together beyond Athens. Kennedy graduated in 2022 and first moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, before later relocating to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Patrick graduated in 2023 and returned to his hometown of Mars, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh. In June 2024, the two started their next adventure together in Charleston, South Carolina, where they now live alongside the true star of their household: their long-haired dachshund, Griswold!

One of Patrick and Kennedy’s favorite traditions- and a trip they look forward to every year- is spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with the Dauphin family in Columbus before driving over to celebrate Christmas evening and the following days with the Roach family in Pittsburgh. During the drive up from Charleston, Patrick casually mentioned that one of his friends had received two tickets through work to see The Nutcracker at the Benedum Center on Friday, December 26, and had offered the tickets to them. On December 26, 2025, Patrick and Kennedy headed toward Mt. Washington for what Kennedy thought was dinner before the show. It had been raining all day, and the drive through Pittsburgh was incredibly foggy- so much so that the city skyline was barely visible while driving downtown, crossing the bridges and making their way up Mt. Washington. After parking on a quiet side street, they began walking toward the restaurant but stopped at one of the overlooks along the way. That’s where Patrick got down on one knee and asked Kennedy to marry him. Almost instantly, the rain stopped and the fog lifted, revealing the city skyline just in time for the proposal... a moment that felt truly surreal. Then- to Kennedy’s complete surprise- Patrick’s sister, Domenique, and her husband, Carl, appeared from under an umbrella to capture the moment. Kennedy was completely shocked by the proposal and, according to Patrick, her reaction was unlike any expression he had ever seen her make before. Afterward, the newly engaged couple celebrated with dinner at Monterey Bay, the same restaurant where they had their very first date in Pittsburgh back in 2020.

Tybee has always held a special place in the Roach family’s hearts. Growing up, Patrick spent countless summers there making memories with family and friends, and throughout their relationship, Kennedy heard endless stories about the island and the meaningful moments shared there. For Christmas 2024, Patrick surprised Kennedy with a trip to Tybee Island so she could experience for herself why it meant so much to him. When they visited in September 2025, Kennedy instantly fell in love with the island and quickly understood why it had always been such an important place in Patrick’s life. Later, when it came time to search for wedding venues, the two planned a weekend trip to Tybee and Savannah to explore their options. The moment they toured The Chapel by the Sea, they both knew it was exactly where they wanted to begin this next chapter together. Now, they cannot wait to celebrate in one of their favorite places surrounded by the people they love most.