It was a stressful first day of the police academy on May 6, 2019. Everyone, including Eric and I, were focused on getting through the painful smoke session and military drills. If you don’t know what smoke sessions are be glad that you don’t. It’s when they take your body to the brink of death, and then push you over the edge. It was horrible. For whatever reason Eric seemed unfazed by the chaos around us, where as I was a nervous wreck battling the pain I felt while watching him smile as the madness ensued. Those first days were a blur except that we were seated next to each other thanks to our last names, Pascual & Pazos. The weeks of mental and physical drilling continued, but in the mist of it all Eric and I became the best of friends. To the point, that Eric made me laugh so much so that our Drill Instructors separated us. However, that just meant we whispered louder and made faces across the room as the days went on. Each test day was a competition between myself and Eric, and just an FYI I am proud to say I won most (even on the state exam!). Every physical training session became a competition, which Eric overlapped me on a daily basis. Together we filled a stressful 10 months with laughter, competitions, and proving you couldn’t separate us. Soon the 10 hour days at the training bureau weren’t enough and after hours we began studying and working out together. Not long after, we realized all the hours in the day weren’t enough. Although the police academy was tiring and stressful, it brought two strangers together and made the best of friends. Now we realize those 10 hour days were never enough, and those 24 hour days living together were never enough, but the only amount of time that will satisfy us is lifetime together as Husband & Wife. We are so excited to have you along for the next part of our story!