On December 15 2021, Lydia and Patrick attended the same birthday party in downtown Dallas. Lydia drove on her own, and upon arriving to the restaurant, she hesitated to pay for valet services. She opted instead to park in a credit union parking lot a few blocks from the restaurant. As walking by herself in Dallas at night did not seem an optimal option, Lydia asked if someone from the birthday party minded picking her up from the parking lot on his or her way to the restaurant. Always the chivalrous gentleman, Patrick agreed to leave the restaurant where he was already seated and walk to the credit union to escort Lydia back to the restaurant. Truly, the rest is history. In what both Lydia and Patrick describe as unforgettable conversation and connection, both left the evening with interests piqued. In fact, Lydia felt so inspired by her interaction with Patrick (as well as his good looks and charm ;) that she wrote the above statement in her phone notes app to see if any future unfolded. Note the date at the top of the photo.

Having met each other on the last day before heading home for Christmas break, Patrick and Lydia texted throughout the holiday, and Patrick officially asked Lydia on a date. Thus, on January 2 2022, Patrick picked Lydia up at her college apartment for their infamous first date. While the conversation and spark remained vibrant, the evening did not go according to plan. Before going to the restaurant for dinner, Patrick unknowingly parked his car in a residential parking garage, and when the couple left the restaurant to continue to the next part of the evening, Patrick and Lydia found the residential garage's iron gate down and Patrick's car on the other side. After some negotiation, Patrick and Lydia finally entered the residential parking garage and exited quickly in Patrick's car. Unfortunately, the pair did not leave in time to make it to Reunion Tower where Patrick secretly held tickets to tour the Geo Deck. Charmed by Patrick's witty conversation and intentional planning, Lydia and Patrick did finally make it to Reunion Tower's Geo Deck on their second date.

On February 1, 2022, Patrick escorted Lydia on their third date. To begin the evening, Patrick and Lydia made their way to a Greek cafe in Bishop Arts. Over gyros and falafel, Patrick officially asked Lydia to be his girlfriend, to which she of course replied "yes." To celebrate officially being a couple, the two headed to Kiest Park where they two stepped under the stars in Patrick's Ford Escape's headlights.

While learning to love one another well as a couple requires steadfastness, dedication, and patience towards each other, Lydia and Patrick would be remiss if they did not mention and deeply thank the college peers, parents, mentors, and church family who have and continue to walk faithfully beside them. Pictured are only a few members of Patrick and Lydia's community who encourage, give counsel, and bring joy and laughter to Lydia and Patrick's lives personally and as a couple.

With Patrick and Lydia graduating from Dallas Baptist University with their degrees in 2023 and 2024 respectively, both cheered the other on as they entered official adulthood and then two and a half years of officially dating.

On July 20, 2024, Patrick took Lydia to dinner in Reunion Tower's luxurious restaurant, Crown Block. While the couple laughed about their first attempt to visit the tower, Lydia remained unsuspicious of Patrick's plans for the evening. A week away from beginning her first year of teaching, Lydia believed Patrick's ruse that the fancy dinner was in honor of her new job. After finishing their wonderful meal, Patrick asked Lydia if she would like to walk around the plaza below Reunion Tower and soak in the warm summer sunset. A few minutes into their stroll, Patrick fell to one knee and asked Lydia to become his wife and partner in life to which she whole heartedly agreed.