Patricia and Ben's Adventure Together

Love Story

It was a beautiful summer night at the Lake Harriet band shell, and Patricia was running a little late, which she wishes she could say was a little more unusual for her, but Ben was characteristically patient and understanding. It was our first date, and we both remember being comfortable with each other right away. For the few weeks prior, we'd been chatting online and had bonded over commitment to our faith, closeness to our families, and a shared sense of adventure. That night we heard a band neither of us remembers very well, but we both remember great conversation, a walk along the lake, and a spectacular full rosy-hued moon. Though conflicting travel schedules meant that we couldn't go on a second date until a month later, we both knew it was the beginning of something pretty special. Just seven months later, after many more wonderful dates, time with each other's families, beautiful celebrations (Josie and Sergio's wedding and family holidays), and times of great grief and pain (the loss of Patricia's Dad and Grandpa), Ben proposed on the snowy banks of the Mississippi River, within view of the spot where Patricia's parents got engaged almost 40 years before, and, well...here we are. We are so excited to continue our love story...