Working with Roman was the highlight of my week because I knew that whenever I was around him, I would always be laughing, and he managed to make the work day go by a lot faster. We stayed friends for a few years, and I periodically checked his Instagram to ensure he was still alive during his deployments. We reconnected after one of his deployments, and the familiar laughter, warmth, fun, and easy conversation all came rushing back. I guess that was when I decided that was a feeling that I wanted for the rest of my life, because he soon asked me out, and I haven’t looked back since. Reconnecting with Roman felt as if no time had passed, and I quickly became comfortable with him, which is a rare feeling for me. His kind heart, along with his familiar quippy remarks and silly jokes, drew me in. As we spent more time together, something beautiful began to unfold With each date and as we spent more time together, I started to fall in love in a slow, calm way. I learned that love doesn’t have to be loud or dramatic, but it can be both soft, kind, and gentle, as well as strong and steady. As I grew to love Roman, I began to see the world as a brighter, more beautiful place, simply because he was in it. Somehow, Roman and I instantly clicked, and I still cannot explain it, but I know that without a doubt, it is such a privilege to love and be loved by him. Looking back, it is evident that God had a hand in orchestrating the event of us falling in love as He gently weaved our story together, guiding us toward each other at the right time. I’ve heard others talk about how they knew someone was “the right one,” and I never understood that feeling until I met Roman. I created a list of characteristics and specifications I wanted in my future husband, thinking that they were too much or impossible to find in one man. But as usual, Roman defied expectations and went above and beyond, and I realized he had everything on the list and more. As someone who is indecisive, I have never been so sure about someone in my entire life. Because of this, on March 22, 2025, when Roman asked me to marry him, I knew my answer and that he was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I’m so lucky to have found not only my best friend but also the love of my life, and I can’t wait to be his wife!

Charity and I met while working together at college. We always had a great time together, and she rapidly became my favorite coworker. She made me look forward to the early morning shifts, and I noticed myself becoming disappointed or sad when she did not come to work. I found myself drawn to her work ethic, humor, and overall ability to bring a smile to my face. We always managed to be next to each other at work, and she was the one person that I never made do the dishes at work. The furthest along our friendship came while we were coworkers was towards the end of undergrad when I would put the ring from almond milk lids on her finger at work, or when I gave her a sticker in front of everyone saying “Roman’s favorite coworker.” After we both graduated, we did not talk for a little while because I was deploying for work while she worked on her masters. While I was on my first deployment, I did think about Charity every now and then, and I knew that she was one of few people from my undergrad years that I wanted to stay connected with. After my first deployment, I briefly reconnected with Charity. We went to a coffee shop with a friend, and after that, I thought about Charity far more often. At this point, I had no desire for a relationship due to my deployment schedule, but Charity began to make me doubt this. Towards the end of my second deployment, I began to think more often about how much I enjoyed spending time with Charity while we were coworkers. We messaged each other once or twice while I was deployed, just to check in, but there wasn't much communication. However, I knew that I wanted to spend more time with her when I came back, and I even showed some of my coworkers her Instagram and told them that I was going to start dating her when I came back to the States. Finally, in March of 2024, I came home from my second deployment. Charity and I went to a coffee shop with a mutual friend again, and it was very clear we were both interested in one another. She and I talked and flirted enough that our mutual friend felt like a third wheel during that interaction. Later that week, Charity and I began spending time together alone, and it quickly became clear that we were falling for one another. Everything was effortless, natural, and fun. After the first time we went out by ourselves, I told her that I could see myself falling in love with her. Things developed rapidly from there. I had to move to Maryland in late May, and I was worried that the distance would be difficult, but it was easy with her. I had to deploy again in September of 2024, and by then, it was pretty solidified in my heart that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Charity. During the deployment, I was made even more certain that I would ask Charity to marry me when I came home for a break. She was patient during the deployment, willing to compromise, and made herself available during my crazy hours, even though she was working 80 hours a week. She constantly kept me encouraged throughout the deployment. In March, I came home for a break and couldn’t wait to pop the question. Now I am trudging through the rest of this deployment, and I can’t wait to finally marry Charity.