His Version: In every story, there is a beginning and an end. August 25th of 2018 was that, for me. I had been scrolling along social media, chatting with some friends over breakfast in the Chow Hall at JWTC in Okinawa. I had come across a post of this suave record player on Instagram made by this cute blonde, who coincidentally liked a video of mine a few days prior. I made the move, beginning one story and ending another simultaneously. Her Version: It all started on the ‘gram. Bryce and I had known each other since 6th grade. I remember Bryce as a loud jock, known for his loud voice and outgoing personality. We were not close friends at the time. Fast forward to 2018. I posted a picture of my friend’s Drake vinyl and get a message from B appreciating how cool it is that I have the album and a record player. I let him know that sadly it wasn’t mine but I would love to have one for myself one day. We started talking from there, catching up on where life had taken us over the years.

His Version: Payton and I began chatting daily, but I still had four months left to go in Japan and even longer to go left on my enlistment. We made plans to meet up over Christmas Leve in 2019 and she certainly followed through on her end of the bargain. Payton met me when I landed at the airport, with my family, holding a cheesy ‘welcome home’ sign. The Kansas City airport is where we shared our first kiss. Her Version: B was stationed in Okinawa at the time and planning on coming home for Christmas. He told me he would love to take me to dinner when he came into town. I thought that would be it, but we connected so quickly and continued to talk. We bonded over our strong will to make a future for ourselves, being professionally driven, and of course had our fair share of flirting. From that day on we were inseparable. I was working nights in the ICU and the time difference from Kansas City to Okinawa was 15 hours. I would stay up on my days off and FaceTime B throughout the entire night until the sun came up. He captivated me with his attentiveness, work ethic, leadership, and morals. We fell in love on FaceTime, but neither of us would say it. We both wanted those words to be said in person along with our anticipation of hanging out in real life (it’s weird, but it’s our story).

His Version: Funnily enough, it was not the first time we had seen each other or even remotely close. We had been ‘friends’ many years prior in middle school, but we had not been in contact for the years after. Even if it was not our first time meeting up, we spent the next 3 weeks sharing many of them. Our first date (Beer Kitchen), her first time meeting my family, her first time meeting Saxon, first time sharing a home-cooked meal together (from-scratch biscuits and gravy cooked by yours truly), and others. Sadly, faced with the harsh realities of the military, I was off again, back to Hawaii. Thankfully, Payton committed to me in more than one way. Over the next year, in 2019, Payton visited Hawaii three separate times, we bought a home together (via FaceTime), attended a Marine Corps Ball together, and decided that I was not going to re-enlist and that we were going to really make a go at our relationship, and setting down roots in Kansas City. Her Version: The day that I picked B up from the airport I was soooo nervous. I went over and met his amazing family and we rode together to KCI. B stepped off the plane and gave his mom, dad, and of course grandma Rose, hugs. Then he headed over to me and we had the most awkward first kiss in front of all his family... that I had just met. It felt so good to finally be present together. Later that night, B came over and we went on our first date, the one he had promised months before the first day we talked. That evening, we told each other that we loved one another. For Christmas that year, Bryce got me the same record that had sparked our original conversation and a record player, the most thoughtful gift! That Christmas time while he was home was filled with breakfast ready for me when I came home from work and dancing around my apartment to “Rain Drops Keep Falling on my Head” on vinyl.

His Version: Since the end of my contract in December of 2019, there have been too many influential moments to process. Choosing a law school together, picking travel nursing contracts, a global pandemic, buying couches and water heaters. Days where we have had to drive hours to see each other, making sacrifices and each continuing to put the other, first.    Our love story is not a story, it is non-fiction, and it is not even remotely close to being finished yet. What has happened up until this point in our relationship have just been the finer details of the first chapter of a very large book, one that I am very grateful to be the main character of. I could spend hours, even days, listing off all the times I remember falling in love with Payton over again but instead I will just say two words: thank you.   Her Version: The next year was filled with more distance, but so many adventures. I went to Hawaii three times to visit B. We bought a home together in KC. Eventually we began to live in our house together after Bryce was honorably discharged to finish his schooling. We have since driven to Florida, hiked in Colorado, explored Mexico, and tackled more distance while I pursue travel nursing. The time we have spent together, the goals we have reached, and the love that we have built is more than anything I could have ever asked for.

His Version: I thank Payton for the eternal grace and kindness she wields as personality traits, as there would be no possible way on Earth that I would return to civilian society and continue to be functional. I thank her for providing her unwavering support, and love. I thank her for allowing me to be a part of her journey and our love story.   It truly is a magical feeling to be in love with what feels like the missing piece to your soul. Her Version: I know with my whole soul how much Bryce loves me. He would do anything for me and I would do the same for him. Bryce is the best and only partner for me to spend forever with. He is thoughtful. He is patient. He is empathetic. He is smart as hell and challenges me every day to be the best me. I would choose him time and time again. I can’t wait to marry this man.