In 2015, Ali was volunteering at the USDA-APHIS in Fort Collins, CO. She walked in to sign in for her shift, passed her passport to the Public Safety Officer (PSO), who replied “Why are you giving me your passport?” Ali proceeded to explain her CT driver’s license said “Not for Federal Identification” so she uses her passport to get into the building. While Ali was waiting for her supervisor to come grab her, in true fashion she was not paying attention as this PSO kept chatting. She finally got a good look at him and thought to herself, “Damn, that man is fine!”. She joined in the conversation and they chatted about dogs and training. Ali eyed the man’s military camo backpack and thought “Hmmm…a military man”. After texting her sister, Jen, about her encounter, she wanted to give him her number, but chickened out. Later that day, she ran into her friend at vet school who worked in the same department. Her friend was working at the USDA that afternoon. Ali enlisted her to give the PSO her number if it was the same guy. Her friend went to the USDA, asked the PSO if he was there from this morning, and if he knew Ali Bush. He instantly recalled who she was speaking of and Ali’s friend placed her phone number on the PSO’s truck…Travis’s truck. Later that day, he reached out to Ali and a first date was set. Over the weekend, we talked, bonded over heavy metal music, and Travis mentioned he used to scream for metal bands. It was at that moment, Ali knew she would marry him.

Our first date was one for the books. Travis wanted to just get drinks, but Ali said hell no you’re buying me dinner. She was craving wings and beer. After warning Travis that her dog, Trixie, was not quite fond of men, Travis came to pick her up. With Trixie at the door, Travis slyly slipped her some bacon. So much for my protective dog after that. We ate at the best wings place in Fort Collins, Mo Jeaux’s. Afterwards, we went across the street to Road 34 to play some Buck Hunter. Ali was very cocky, talking shit after beating Travis at the game. It became very clear Travis was an infantry Marine as he kicked her ass in the next game. We finished the evening with a drive up to Horsetooth Reservoir, Ali’s favorite spot in Fort Collins.

5 years later, two states, two cross country moves, and a new puppy addition, Travis and Ali were back in Colorado. Ali was sick, thought she got Covid, so was up early on the anniversary date of their first date to book a Covid test. The ring had arrived the day prior and Ali just thought Travis was smart for taking advantage of the Christmas sales. Usually, Ali snuggles Trixie in the morning, so Travis had placed the ring on Trixie’s collar. Unfortunately, Ali got up to get on the computer. As she was stressing about scheduling a Covid test, Travis proceeded to say nice things about how happy his life is with us in it. I naturally wasn’t listening. It was at that moment Travis said, “Will you just look at Trixie’s collar!?” Ali looked, saw the ring, and said, “Are you seriously doing this now?!” After a bit of arguing, with fear in Travis’s eyes, he said, “Are you going to say yes?” “Of course I will marry you!” Ali replied.