After finishing school in Lawton, OK, we went to our separate duty stations in El Paso, TX, and Tacoma, WA, where we would begin a three-year-long distance relationship filled with deployments, training rotations, and a lot of cross-country flights. The distance was challenging, yet it strengthened our bond, as every moment we spent together was cherished and meaningful. We juggled time zones and hectic schedules, making every phone call and message count. Our love was tested with each deployment and training rotation, facing the uncertainties and anxieties that come with military life.

Despite the distance, we grew individually and as a couple, learning to support each other in ways we never imagined. We celebrated promotions and achievements through video calls and shared quiet moments online when being physically together wasn't possible. The journey was tough, but it taught us resilience, patience, and the true meaning of partnership.

Finally, after three years of long-distance love, countless flights, and endless goodbyes, we were fortunate enough to receive orders to Columbia, SC. Now living together, we are building a life side by side, appreciating every day we get to wake up next to each other. Our relationship, once stretched across states, is now a testament to our enduring love and commitment. We continue to navigate military life, but now we do it together, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and strengthening our bond with each new experience.