We said yes!

Each of us has a unique purpose in life, and in divine timing, God orchestrates the pieces of our journey, even when the path seems unclear. We invite you to get to know us as we share our story, revealing the remarkable journey that has brought us to where we stand today. - Hello, everyone! I'm Vanessa Castro, proud to call Charlotte, NC, my hometown. I attended Lebanon Elementary, North East Middle School, and Independence High School – Go Patriots! I still vividly recall the excitement, mixed with a touch of nervousness, on my first day of ninth grade. Little did I know that someone special, who would later become my husband, was in that very same class. Our paths briefly crossed before he transferred to another class, and life continued its course. As I navigated high school, I developed an interest in extracurricular activities, and that's when I stumbled upon ROTC. Engaging in the after-school programs offered by ROTC became a defining part of my high school experience. It wasn't long before I discovered that Erik, the man I would eventually marry, was also a part of the ROTC program… - Hello, everyone! I’m Erik Bronson. I was born in Manhattan, New York, but my roots took hold in Charlotte, North Carolina. I attended North East Middle School and Independence High School. In my eleventh-grade year, my primary focus was on getting one step closer to graduation, with no intention of joining ROTC. However, fate had other plans and I joined ROTC. It was in Colonel Lahacki's class that my fascination with history, particularly World War II, was ignited. As my ROTC journey continued, I unearthed a deep-seated passion for the military. I eagerly participated in drill meets and various clubs, which is where I had the pleasure of meeting Vanessa. I distinctly remember being struck by her beauty and the warmth of her personality. Unbeknownst to me, I had already crossed paths with my future wife. Our friendship grew from that point, and after graduation, our paths took us in different directions. - Years later, our paths crossed once again, leading to rekindled connections and cherished moments spent together. Gradually, our friendship deepened, ultimately culminating in a decision to give a romantic relationship a chance. Our inaugural official date took place at Mellow Mushroom, and I must insist, if you haven't yet savored their pizza, it's a must-try! Over the course of the years, we embarked on numerous thrilling adventures, some more remarkable than others. Nevertheless, regardless of the challenges we encountered, we always had each other for support, which only served to strengthen our bond.