A long, long time ago, on an overcast and chilly December evening, Patrick and Rina went on their first date at the California Academy of Sciences. Patrick thought Rina was adorably cute, and Rina thought Patrick was utterly charming. Upon exploring the exhibits, they sensed the growing attraction between them. Patrick, who knew that cute animals would be a surefire way to a woman's heart, took Rina to the reindeer exhibit. The poor reindeer must have been blind, because they seemed oblivious to the sparks flying that night. Pat and Rina were enamored with each other by the end of the evening, and the trajectory of their paths together was set.

With each subsequent date and passing year, their attraction deepened into love. By November 2021 (counting by the number of jointly-decorated Christmas trees), they moved in together, and after 3 years spent in relative domestic harmony, they knew that they wanted to join their lives even more closely. In winter 2024, Pat took Rina on a ski trip to northern Idaho. Pat played the role of the patient and irresistably handsome ski instructor, and guided Rina on many, many, many trips down the bunny slope. With encouragement, he then persuaded her to venture beyond training grounds, to the peak of the mountain. Rina steadily made her way down the mountain with Pat in tow. Alas, tragedy struck halfway down the mountain, forcing Patrick to pull over to fix his ski bindings. He bent down on one knee...and came up with a ring in his hand. Rina was so surprised by the proposal that she speechlessly took the ring, leaving a befuddled Patrick to ask, "So is that a yes?"

It was.