Candice & Patrick

In 2018, two bright souls, an ambitious medical student from California and a headstrong Air Force member from New York, crossed paths in Ohio for what began as a casual encounter, but was bound to become a lifelong romance.

The first date, set in a neon laced arcade bar, shaped what would be their relationship dynamic for years to come. Amidst the cocktail glasses and retro arcade machines, Pat and Candice sat and shared the details of their life with each other. After some drinks and conversation, the mood called for a bit of friendly competition. Pat, feeling confident in his gaming skills, proposed a game of Street Fighter, to which Candice, stubbornly unable to refuse a challenge, accepted without hesitation. And after a few rounds of trading blows and throws, it was Candice who surprisingly took the win, wearing a big smile on her face as she tried her best to remain humble. Pat, after wiping away tears of pain, quickly learned that there was more to Candice than what he initially perceived and she felt connected to him in the same way.

However, with Candice returning home to California and Pat staying in Ohio, their relationship had to shift to continuing over long-distance. Their love grew steadily through several phone calls, cross-country visits, and conversations of shared ambitions in life. Though, it was not without difficulty as the hurdles of their distance tested their bond. Candice was again required to move away, but this time for her medical residency in Portland, Oregon. While around the same time, Pat was called even further away as he was deployed for duty in Afghanistan. With the strain from the distance and the growing pressures of their demanding careers, it grew even harder to bear as the unfortunate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed Pat’s return home. But they stayed strong and remained each other's source of comfort and support through crisis and uncertainty.

Once Pat was finally able to return, he moved back to his home in New York and transitioned from his military life to civilian life as Candice was nearing the end of her medical residency. By the summer of 2024, Pat decided it was time to close the gap, both on their distance and their relationship. He suggested they take a day trip to go hiking through the misty trails leading to Ramona Falls. The setting seemed perfect as the sound of rushing water filled the air and the forest mist began to lift. Pat dropped to his knee and asked Candice to marry him. Candice, as she did on their first date, accepted without hesitation.

Looking back now at the late-night calls, flights across the country, and one very revealing game of Street Fighter, they reflect on how the journey so far hasn’t been an easy one, but they know beyond a doubt that it’s been worth it. And they can feel the best is yet to come.