From PSU to “I Do”
Amber Healy and Patrick Corpora met the first week of their freshman year at the Pennsylvania State University.
They have been dating for 7 ½ years, through the challenges of long distance and their ongoing education. Amber is a 25-year-old NICU nurse living in Manhattan and is in the process of getting her graduate degree online through Penn State. Patrick is finishing up optometry school and unbeknownst to Amber, has been planning a very special surprise for the past couple of months.
Patrick had been shopping for a couple of months before he finally found the perfect ring – a one karat, round, double-halo, split shank Vera Wang. For the sake of tradition, he purchased a bouquet of flowers for Amber’s mother and a box of cigars for her father as gifts, and asked them for their permission to marry their daughter.
“There were definitely a lot of tears, even some from her dad,” joked Patrick. “I was more nervous about asking them than I was about asking her.”
For months, he planned the perfect proposal. He decided to propose on his birthday weekend, in the place where they first met. With the help of Amber’s sister, Patrick disguised the occasion as simply taking graduation photos for Amber and her sister. Finally, Patrick popped the question in front of the Lion Shrine on April 8, 2017.
Amber was thoroughly surprised, and excitedly accepted. “I’ve been thinking about this day forever,” said Amber. “I’m excited that it’s finally official that I get to spend the rest of my life with my best friend.”
