Our relationship developed from an unconventional beginning, as we met when Kimbria joined the track team at Wheeling University where Patrick was coaching.

As we got to know each other, we bonded over our prioritized relationships with Jesus and conversations about our faith. We grew closer during Kimbria's final year at Wheeling. We found ourselves spending an absurd amount of time together through Kairos preparations, retreat weekends, reviving the music ministry program, and long van trips to and from track meets during which Kimbria was more than willing to stay awake and have long, meaningful conversations with Patrick as he drove.

Kimbria graduated and returned to Michigan for the summer, while Patrick remained in Wheeling. Our feelings began to blossom that summer through a bet we had made--Patrick learned to pole vault and Kimbria trained for a 5K. We spent time bonding over this challenge: offering support, encouragement and feedback to each other. According to our predetermined standards, Kimbria won the challenge with a time of 24:02 despite Patrick's impressive efforts and 8'6 clearance!

Kimbria moved back to the Ohio Valley to begin her graduate studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville. We found ourselves spending the majority of our time together once again. We enjoyed going to church, sharing meals, and working out, as well as having music nights with our close friends John and Genesis. We would get so entrenched in our deep conversations that they would only end when we saw how late it was. After taking things slowly and discerning our feelings for several months, we prayed in adoration and at the grotto at Franciscan's campus where we felt called to pursue our feelings for each other. We began dating October 06, 2023.

In a little over a year dating, we grew closer and laid the foundation of our life together. This year was filled with finding a spiritual home in the Melkite Catholic community, road tripping to Michigan and West Virginia to visit our families and celebrate holidays, becoming friends with each other's friends, and spending restful Sundays and all of our spare time together. Through prayer, guidance from mentor couples, intentional conversations and faith in God's plan we felt and continue to feel a strong desire to marry each other. While home in Michigan for Christmas, Patrick walked around with the ring in his pocket for three days waiting to muster up the courage to propose. Ultimately, we went back to where our relationship began, at a grotto, where Patrick got on one knee and cried through a freezing cold proposal on December 22, 2024.

We are enjoying our engagement season filled with marriage prep and wedding planning! We plan to live in Steubenville together after the wedding and are excited to see what God has planned for our marriage. We can't wait to enter into the sacrament of marriage and are looking forward to celebrating with all of you!

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