Jaron and I met in June of 2016 while in the Navy stationed at Naval Hospital Sigonella in Italy. It was one of Jaron’s first weekends on the island, and there was a tattoo convention that a large group of our friends went to in Palermo, Sicily. He was introduced to a lot of people that weekend, and we both clearly remember feeling a small sense of familiarity when we met. When we locked eyes and shook hands, Jaron thought to himself “aww, she seems sweet” and I remember feeling like he had such a calming presence about him. 🥹 As many of you know, we were just “friends” during our time in Sicily but who could have predicted how much that friendship would grow and evolve. 🤍

Fast forward 9 years later to July 2025 - after a long year of pharmacy residency for me, and Jaron managing the CofC men’s basketball team while finishing school, we were blessed to take a much needed European vacation. We traveled through Croatia, Rome, Venice, Naples, the Amalfi Coast and then went back to Sicily where it all started. It was an incredibly romantic trip with the best surprise ending… Jaron got down on one knee at the very same resort we were in the day we met. 🥰