Story
Ya know that quote, "All love stories are beautiful, but ours is my favorite,"?? Well, in this case, it's totally true. We grew up 10 miles from each other, went to High School together, and had never even really exchanged so much as a word, and here we are! We could not have been more than polar opposites (and 4 years apart) while in High School, and I would have NEVER imagined our paths crossing, ever.... and then, February 28, 2015 happened.
This relationship happened (and yes, I like to take credit for the miracle) because I randomly sent Patrick a message on Facebook in the wee hours of the evening after seeing his updated Facebook profile picture. I thought to myself, "wow, what a babe!" Now, mind you, I had always thought Patrick was a cutie, but, never really had the opportunity to tell him all those years back. At this time, I was still living in Syracuse, NY with my mom and Patrick was living in North Carolina which was where he had been for about 10 years. So, I sent him thee message. One message led to another, and another, which led to countless hours of phone conversations, e-mailing, non-stop messaging, to Skype dates (yes, we literally watched movies together long distance on Skype calls and even fell asleep with Skype on sometimes) to a plane ticket. (I'd like to add that we still have every message and e-mail we've ever sent. It will be published in a book someday for our kids to read about the greatest love story of all time).
After 2-3 weeks of non-stop communication, Patrick asked me to come visit. So, I bit the bullet and used my Christmas bonus to buy a plane ticket to North Carolina. I had fed my mom bits and pieces of the story and how amazing and kind Patrick was, but like any good mom, she was worried. Actually, she feared I was going to end up a missing person and likely be put in a bunker when I got to North Carolina that Patrick had already handcrafted for me in the mean time. But, she couldn't have been more wrong (thank God)! I stepped off my plane anxiously pacing until my eyes met his, and.... the rest was history. There was no delay, no awkward silences, no uncomfortable moments - it was as though my heart had always belonged right there with him.
Fast forward through all the gushy love stuff, on that trip the day I left we made it official and decided to continue a long distance relationship until more could be figured out (i.e. the big move). I flew back and forth about every two weeks, and he flew up to NY as well. Eventually, in June, Patrick asked me to make the move to North Carolina as he had no intentions of returning to NY (can you blame him?). Although I had no qualms about leaving to be with him, I did have some serious thinking to do. After all, my mother and I had never been apart, even after facing such tragedy losing my father, and the thought of leaving her was nearly unbearable. But, the change was something I need and I felt it in my bones and I knew that it was time for me to go, and so, I agreed and took a leap of faith. We spent those next 3 months working through the ups and downs that come with a long distance relationship, but we never once doubted the decision to continue this journey together - not once. On 9/01/15 I resigned from my job, my career actually... to prepare to transition in Mid-October. I knew this was it. I packed a U-Haul Pod and shipped all my things, Patrick flew to NY, and we packed my Passat to the top and headed to North Carolina. Although I watched my mom wave out the door crying, and I cried, and I was certain Patrick was going to turn around and take me back.... he didn't, and we made it. He put up with me crying and calling my mom repeatedly that whole trip and never once complained, and at that moment - I knew it... a) he was a saint and b) if he DOESN'T put me in a bunker after this, I'll be in good shape. ;) ;)
OKAY so! Long story short (did I say that already?) = 3 moves and 2 houses later, here we are! It's here. We are going to make a forever kind of commitment and never look back. I couldn't be more excited to say that this will be the man that I wake up with for the rest of my life, whom I grow old with, have children and/or more dogs with, laugh and cry with, and endure all of life with, every day, for now and for always.
If you've made it this far, then you've actually survived just a small fraction of our sappy love story. The remainder is our story, that we will cherish between each other for the rest of our days. However, there is one day we hope that you will take part in cherishing with us. After all, that's why you're here. :)
We love you all, and can't wait for you to be a part of our special day!