S|M

Our story began as we matched on Hinge and, after a few FaceTime dates (because Sarah explained to Marco that he could be a serial killer and she couldn’t be too careful), we finally met in person. Our first date was set for a Friday night, St. Patrick’s Day, at The Pearl, a spot that’s now become our place (we really should be sponsored!). In true Sarah fashion, she was late. What Marco didn’t know was that she had actually arrived 45 minutes early (because she knew she’s always late) to finsih her makeup in the car… only to still be late. But when she walked in, Marco was kind and had the biggest smile, easy to spot. Earlier in the week, Marco had mentioned plans to meet up with coworkers that night to celebrate a birthday, and Sarah thought what better way to get to know him? After dinner, we decided to grab drinks at a nearby bar before heading over. When we pulled into the parking lot, Marco, trying to reverse park, accidentally clipped his side mirror on a gate. He brushed it off with a smile, but internally he was cringing at the repair bill. Sarah likes to think he was just distracted by her beauty and not paying attention. We eventually met up with his coworkers and jumped right into the St. Patrick’s Day fun. It turned into a great night, and they must’ve sensed something special too, because they, without hesitation, persistently invited Sarah into their group photo that night. The next morning, we drove over to Walmart, grabbed duct tape and scissors, and got to work fixing Marco’s side mirror. Sarah jumped right in, holding the mirror steady like a true teammate, not afraid to roll up her sleeves (even if she had just got her nails done). It wasn’t the cleanest repair, but it worked...and so did we. We went on our second date that Sunday, bowling. That was also the day we discovered just how competitive we both are, a theme that’s followed us ever since. (Don’t let us find a basketball Connect Four anywhere!) Like many military couples, our timeline moved quickly, but it all felt natural. From eating every chicken wing the city offered, dancing the night away at our local nightclub, jumping into every photo booth we find, and DoorDash/UberEats on our nights in, our relationship has been filled with joy, adventure, and the kind of moments you can’t plan—just like our very first one.

As most of you know, we share a serious love for the NFL. Marco, a loyal Cowboys fan, took a risk on a Packers girl. Sarah even had a photo on her Hinge profile decked out in green and gold with her two brothers. Still, we bonded over football Sundays, bringing together our TVs side by side so we could watch both the main game and RedZone. A dream setup. At some point in the relationship, Marco told himself: When I propose, it’ll be when the Packers play the Cowboys...which would be in the 2025 season. Fast forward to the 2023 NFC Wild Card Sunday games. Sarah and Marco were watching with Sarah’s family, half of whom (conveniently) are also Cowboys fans. We were all happy with the Cowboys win, but then came the twist: the Packers won, too. And just like that, it was official, Packers vs. Cowboys, in Dallas, the very next weekend. Sarah looked Marco: “We have to go.” She roped in her brother and sister-in-law, and before they knew it, the tickets were bought, and the hotel was booked. Marco took it as a sign...he was going to propose. He immediately reached out to his dad and sister, then casually turned to Sarah and asked for her ring size, claiming his sister was ordering a ring and needed a reference. To sell the lie, a text from his sister conveniently popped up asking for Sarah’s size just as he was “showing her the options.” Sarah, being Sarah, launched into a 15-minute rant on sizing, finger swelling, and ring placement, looping her mom and sister-in-law into the conversation for their sizes...unknowingly helping Marco shop for her own ring. On Wednesday, a group text came in from Marco’s coworker (a fellow Packers fan), teasing that Marco had been talking smack about Sarah’s nails and how she needed to get them done. Marco had never once commented on her nails. Suspicious, but fine maybe they were more overgrown that she thought? The conversation to getting game-day nail themes, so Sarah brushed it off. However, the thought lingered, and she started investigating with friends whether something might be happening. That Saturday night at the hotel, Sarah turned to Marco, laughing, and admitted her friends were convinced a proposal was coming. “They even asked if there were rose petals in the room.” Marco laughed so hard it was kind of rude. “Tell them no rose petals and no proposal,” he said. Mission: Throw Sarah Off the Scent = Complete. Sunday, Game day. It was freezing outside, and we had the idea to roll up our coats to sit on. It was genius: warm bottoms = warm jackets for later. Marco refused. Weird but okay. Sarah was too busy celebrating the Packers dominating to think much of Marco continuously leaving. Meanwhile, Marco was downstairs spiraling. At one point, he sat at the bar, defeated. A stranger noticed and struck up a conversation. “I’m supposed to propose tonight,” Marco admitted. The man smiled and said, “Well, at least she’ll be happy in more ways than one.” Marco checked on the ring in his coat zipper (duh, he didn't want to sit on the ring) and went back up to his seat. The game ended in a Packers win, the stadium roaring. Remember how Marco had a full Achilles tear? Just a few months post-surgery, he started falling behind. “Hold up,” he said. “My Achilles is aching.” Sarah stopped and called for her brother and sister-in-law to come back. She turned around—only to find Marco down on one knee, holding a ring. She gasped. Then immediately started sobbing with joy. We laughed, hugged, and took a few (very rosy-cheeked) photos in the cold. As Marco later wrote: “Not the outcome I expected… but at least she said yes.” The easiest yes.