We met at a bar of all places called Seville Quarter in Pensacola, FL. Naturally we were both in the area to shake our booty's (LOL). AJ and I, grabbed our drinks and went to go converse where we could hear each other a little better than the dance floor. I poked fun at him, continuing to ask if he was a "good guy" naturally induced by the Vino I was drinking. Our conversation continued with laughs, figuring out we enjoyed many of the same hobbies, and just had a crazy instant connection I don't think either of us anticipated finding. AJ of course asked for my # and I said, "Here, I'll put it in." Now this next part is where it gets funny. AJ through this entire first interaction with me continued to say, "I just can't believe how nice, genuine, and beautiful you are...I'm gonna marry you one day!" Haha. In my head I obviously think this guy is just a smooth talker. So I sarcastically put my name in his phone as "Brie Your Future Wife". Well...here we are. Guess some could call that fate. I really never believed anything like our relationship could work. There were a lot of odds against us. With AJ only being in Pensacola for a short amount of time for his schooling through the Navy, I knew I was going to lose him. Why we didn't lose each other is honestly because I know we both knew in our hearts this was forever for us. We had our fun beach days. We had fun date nights. We had fun really getting to know one another on a deeper level. We went to the gym together. Most of all, we made every moment count. AJ would even come visit me while I had to work weekends and he was off and sit at the bar for hours just to see me. AJ has always been so silly & light hearted, I loved that about him. He made me feel like the Brie I always was but lost for some time. He brings out the best in me, while I challenge him at times. He is my best friend and I am his...even when he is pouring a cup of ice cold water on me while in the shower. Forever is going to be such a fun journey.

We had talked about what would happen next, because AJ was leaving early November for his first duty station in VA. We both knew we wanted to be together, and eventually I would move to be with him. Is that why we got engaged, no. We just as crazy as it sounded to everyone this was our next step in our journey. We both felt we needed that commitment and promise to each other to continue growing and moving forward as a couple. I was shocked when he did it, and seeing him down on one knee was one of the most exciting moments of my life.