Patrick and Kimberly crossed paths at a line-dancing night at their local country bar in Tacoma, Washington. He won her over with his lovable charisma as she attempted to teach him how to line dance. A few days later, Patrick took Kimberly on a first date at the "best steakhouse in Washington," Asados, where he promptly ordered the fried chicken. They laughed and bonded over their love of history and travel.

Patrick knew Kimberly was the love of his life after she left him... for a six month deployment to Singapore. While Kimberly enjoyed her Army sponsored vacation Patrick bravely held the home front ensuring the kitties were well taken care of. However, even the bravest providers can succumb to loneliness and even though they talked on the phone nearly every day, texted constantly, and Patrick took a four-day trip out to see Kimberly in Singapore, he couldn't help but miss her terribly. While she was away Patrick realized how much joy Kimberly brought to every aspect of his life. In her absence he had come to understand that Kimberly had not only become a key part of his life, but the most important part. He became determined to make sure he would never have to suffer one of those terrible days without her again. So now, for better or worse, she's stuck with him.

Amongst the mist-shrouded trails of their Pacific Northwest road trip, Kimberly found the clarity that had been growing for years. It wasn't just that Patrick supported her "crazy" goals; it was that he celebrated them as if they were his own. Whether it was hiking straight up snowy mountains in the rain or backing her most ambitious career move, he was her tireless champion. He was more than just her greatest support and the one who fueled her dreams; he was her "forever," the person who turned every trail into home just to see her happy.

Patrick knew immediately how to leave a lasting impression with the most creative proposal on their spring trip to Mexico. He decided to ask Kimberly to marry him in Teotihuacan, Mexico - yes, the ancient ruins. The ancients designed the ruins to mimic the mountains behind them, creating the perfect blend of their favorite things - history and mountain adventures. He designed her ring with her birthstone, a beautiful pear-cut Alexandrite, and her favorite stone, Opal. They celebrated with dinner at a unique local restaurant.

As we prepare to say "I do" surrounded by the beauty of the woods, we are also preparing for a new great adventure in our lives: moving across the country from Georgia to start our new chapter in Washington state. This move feels like a beautiful homecoming for us, as Washington is the place where we first met and fell in love. While we have cherished our time in the South, the Army is calling us back to the Pacific Northwest, and we couldn't be more excited to return as a married couple among the mist-covered evergreens. We can’t wait to celebrate one last epic weekend with our loved ones and friends before we move west to start our "forever" back where it all began.