Our story began in 2016 in Washington, D.C., where our paths crossed in the most classic of settings—a bar. At the time, Erika was working as a researcher at the National Institutes of Health, while Patrick was interning at the Canadian Embassy. What started as a random encounter blossomed into something special, proving that sometimes bad pickup lines really do work.

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Together for over eight years and married since August 2023, we recently relocated from Ottawa to Harrowsmith (a small community just north of Kingston) to pursue our studies. Erika (34) is now a medical student, and Patrick (30), after 12 years of service in the CAF, is advancing his academic journey in law school through the military. Going back to school after years in the workforce has been an adventure—who knew late-night cramming and surviving on coffee were skills we’d need to dust off in our 30s? Luckily, we're both #blessed to be in educational programs that pay us salaries and offer perks like parental leave, making the transition a bit smoother. 

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Our home is filled with love and energy, thanks to our lively family of pets. Rosie, our four-year-old Shetland sheepdog, is a whirlwind of barky energy, often joining us on hikes and bike rides. Our two orange cats, Higgs and Doc, balance things out with their laid-back personalities, spending their days relaxing by the fire and hunting mice at night. We also have a black squirrel named Moon (who Erika fostered as a baby) who still comes to our back door for the occasional cashew. 

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Our passion for animals extends far beyond our home. Over the years, we’ve been involved with humane societies, cat rescues, and wildlife sanctuaries, fostering hundreds of baby animals like bunnies, raccoons, and kittens.​ When we’re not caring for animals, we love spending time with family and friends. Whether hosting epic Christmas parties, traveling north to Sudbury, or venturing south to California to visit Erika's family, we cherish every opportunity to connect with our loved ones.

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At home, we’re never short of half-finished projects. Our shared passion for home renovations means there’s always something underway—or at least on the horizon. Patrick’s dad, a skilled carpenter, is often on speed dial for advice when our ambitious plans occasionally hit a snag.

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In our downtime, we strike a balance between our love for the outdoors and nights in. We enjoy hiking trails and soaking in scenic views, but we’re equally content winding down in front of the TV. From Better Call Saul to Shark Tank, we love discovering new series together before calling it a night.

 

Our journey has been filled with love, adventure, and the shared belief that home is wherever we’re together—pets included. Yet, as fulfilling as our lives are, there’s one piece missing to make our family complete: a child.

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Erika has a condition called Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, which means she was born without a uterus. While this has made carrying a child impossible, it has not dampened our dream of becoming parents. The love we’ve built over the years, and the nurturing home we’ve created, has prepared us for this next chapter.