06.07.2025

The story of Ania and Nathan begins in Champaign, Illinois. The two were kicking off their senior year at the University of Illinois. I-L-L! Although Ania and Nathan frequented the same places on campus, they never crossed paths. While studying Elementary Education, Ania spent some of her free time playing on the club volleyball team. While studying Technical Systems Management, Nathan spent his free time with his friends from ROTC. What they didn’t know is that they shared a mutual friend on both the volleyball team and in ROTC, Alexa! As The Navy’s 243rd birthday was approaching, Nathan and his friend, Dan, were looking for dates to Naval Ball. Alexa took it upon herself to set them up with some of her volleyball friends. That’s when Nathan selected Ania as his date. In an effort to make it not a completely “blind” date, Ania and Nathan set to meet for the first time at the Illinois homecoming tailgate. For the next month leading up to Naval Ball, they found themselves talking every day and meeting up with their friends around campus. After a great time at the ball, Nathan and Ania continued talking. That’s when Ania asked him how much longer she should wait for him to ask her on a date. Nathan asked her to get dinner for the following Saturday. After a few weeks the two were officially a couple! A month later, their 4 year long distance relationship began. Second semester of senior year, Ania went back to student teach in the suburbs while Nathan finished out his senior year in Champaign. Following his commissioning into The Navy, Nathan moved to Pensacola, Florida to begin flight school while Ania stayed in the suburbs of Chicago to teach elementary. Ania would visit Nathan on her spring and summer breaks. In March of 2022 Nathan was moved to San Antonio, Texas. After the 2022 school year, Ania decided to move to San Antonio as well, excited to live in her first apartment. Nathan and Ania enjoyed this time as they finally had the chance to “date normally” and not long distance. This is where their mutual love for the state of Texas began. They spent their weekends driving to the hill country, hiking, exploring new cities and trying as many Texas bbq joints as possible (Terry Blacks in Lockwood being the best, of course). In March of 2024 Nathan and Ania took a spring break trip to Big Bend National Park. Their first day, they set out on a backpacking trip into the Chisos Mountains. After setting up camp for the night and watching the sunset, it was time for the infamous West Texas starry night. While star gazing and looking for constellations, Nathan popped the question! They spent the rest of the week falling in love with the tranquility of Big Bend and excited for the future. Upon returning to San Antonio, Nathan and Ania began preparing for their next big move. Although sad to leave Texas, they were excited for their new duty station of San Diego, California. They now spend their time exploring this new city and building a home together.