It all started when we were both living in Great Lakes, Illinois and in Navy 'A' School. We met at a BBQ pit on base. That weekend we went to the mall with a group of friends and took an interest to each other. We went out to Chicago one weekend and from then on we spent all our time together. Until- we both graduated 'A' school and Jess had to move back to Ohio May of 2017. We decided we wanted to try and make a distance relationship work while Jess began nursing school. We had many adventures and struggles along the way. Chris was moved to Virginia for school 2017-2018 until he finally went to his permanent duty station, Mayport, Florida, in 2018. On Jess's first annual training in the Navy Reserves she was sent to where Chris was stationed. It was there he proposed August 22, 2018. Our journey continued as Jess was progressing through college, Covid hit, Chris went on deployment in 2020, and then he got out of the Navy. From then on it was a waiting game for Jess to move to Texas after graduation. After 4 and half LONG years of distance, Jess graduated in December 2021, and moved to Texas in January of 2022. After all our challenges we are finally together and planning our wedding that we've tried to plan so many times before.

During Jess's first annual training in Mayport, Florida, Chris decided to plan a beach day. We went to the beach after work and were relaxing, listening to music, and Chris was *unsuspiciously* recording the ocean for the "sound." He proceeded to go for a walk by the ocean while Jess stayed laid out on her towel. Chris then pretended to fall and hurt his ankle, calling out for Jess to come help him. So of course she went to see what was wrong, but when she looked away at the lifeguard he got on one knee and popped the question.