WE MET

at a "hurricane" party in DC. Instead of staying home during Hurricane Irene, we both decided to brave the storm and go to a swim team party. Risky move I know, but it definitely paid off. 

I had recently moved to DC and joined a swim team hoping to make new friends in the area. Both of us were technically on the team, but Pat actually never showed up to practice. The first time I saw him was on Saturday, August 27th, 2011. Pat finally had a night off from medical school, and I was excited to go to my first team social event. He was the cutest boy I'd ever seen, with kind eyes and an easy smile. It was love at first sight. I was pretty nervous, but somehow found the courage to say hi, after that we were stuck together like glue.

-Rachel

WE GOT ENGAGED

in Paris on the Pont des Arts. Rachel had been planning a trip to Paris with her family for some time, as it was a place her mother had always wanted to visit. I knew it would be a perfect opportunity to ask Rachel to marry me. I nervously smuggled the engagement ring through security, customs, and the long flight to France in preparation for my big plan. I knew I wanted to propose the first day, which entailed exploring the city with Rachel’s parents. When a free moment presented itself, I asked her parents for their blessing. Thankfully, they agreed.

Later that evening, Rachel and I had a nice dinner at A.O.C, and took a walk down to the Pont des Arts.  The Eiffel tower was sparkling at sundown, and I was nervous both inside, and apparently out. I asked Rachel to marry me on the side steps with a book I had made chronicling our relationship to that point, and at the back was a compartment containing a lock I had engraved ahead of time for us to attach to the bridge.

She accepted, and before I knew it had put the ring on her own finger! She was crying (happy tears of course) and neither of us could stop smiling. We attached our lock to the bridge and threw the keys into Seine river.

-Pat