Chuck was home from Okinawa for some training at Fort Bragg. This was perfect timing for Katie (Chuck's sister, Adara's friend, and now bridesmaid) and her Fiancé Matt's (who we love, also a groomsman) engagement party. Adara and Katie were new friends. As Adara knew very few people at the party, the engaged couple only, she was planning to stay for a drink and a well wish to the happy couple and be on her way. But fate and mother nature had other plans. It began to rain. A lot. Downpour like you would not believe. Luckly Matt and Katie had a tent set up outside in case of such a circumstance. Therefore the whole party was huddled under said tent as it started to drizzle. It was around this time Adara was feeling a bit stuck. She was finishing her drink and about to say her goodbyes when the rain ensued. So as she was looking around for a stranger to small talk the rain away with, who should arrive but Kevin Tighe (Chuck's long time best bud and now groomsman) and Chuck with the all important keg. Adara, feeling somewhat lost, sprang at the chance to catch up with an old high school acquaintance in the sea of strangers present. In comes Kevin. She essentially grabbed him by the arm and held him hostage. To save Kevin, or to be friendly, or now in retrospect maybe just to have an in to talk to a new and pretty face, Chuck joined the conversation. After some graphic medical stories were exchanged and countless laughs, and a pickup line regarding lovely jugulars and the ease in which an IV might be placed in such a nice vein, the rest is history. They've talked everyday since and plan to continue doing so as long as they both shall live.

I knew that Adara was amazing and that I was in love, but after spending a week exploring Okinawa and Tokyo together I knew that I was madly in love with Adara. Getting a late night snack in Tokyo we talked about our future together, Adara said that she would love to be my wife. Overwhelmed with emotion, I got down on a knee in Shinjuku station and popped the question. Adara said yes! The rest they say is history.