Our love began in a place we’ll always hold close to our hearts — nestled in the Shenandoah Valley at James Madison University, in the early morning stillness of a 5am ROTC PT session. It wasn’t love at first sight. It was something better: a slow-burning friendship built on mutual respect, laughter, and shared dreams. As senior year progressed, we started to really get to know each other. We went on hikes, pushed each other at the gym, competed in intramural softball (shout out the blues), and spent nights under the stars camping and laughing until sunrise. We went to the shooting range, shared ~a few too many~ drinks at Finnegan’s Cove, and slowly, effortlessly, became each other’s favorite person. Every moment we spent together — whether covered in sweat at PT or dressed up for a night out — deepened our bond. What started as friendship turned into something we couldn’t walk away from. By the time graduation approached, we had fallen hard. We were best friends who suddenly couldn’t imagine life apart. But life had other plans — Connor received his first assignment as an Army Nurse in San Antonio, and Maddie moved to Saint Petersburg, Florida. Our hearts cracked every time we hugged goodbye at the airport. Still, through the distance and the countdowns, we held tightly to each other, flying across states to keep love alive. San Antonio became a second home — not because of the city, but because every time Maddie visited, Connor felt whole. He had everything he thought he wanted: a beautiful home, a fulfilling Army career, great friends. But something was missing. And that something… was Maddie. It all became clear on October 1, 2023. In the place where we first fell in love, Connor got down on one knee and asked Maddie to spend forever with him. The answer, of course, was yes. That was the day our future began. Maddie moved across the country, and for the first time, there were no more airport goodbyes. We filled our San Antonio home with laughter, late-night dinners, and memories with new friends who quickly became family. Eventually, our journey brought us to Arlington, Virginia, where we’re building our life and dreaming even bigger dreams. At the core of everything we do — from hosting our favorite people, to hiking through nature, to serving our country — is a shared faith and a deep love for family, God, and one another. We believe that God crafted our story with intention — two souls perfectly aligned in values, passions, and purpose. Our story is one of friendship turned to forever, of distance that never stood a chance against love, and of a bond that only grows stronger with time. We’ve seen our dreams unfold, hand in hand — and we know that this is only the beginning. Our next chapter is waiting — and we’re ready to write it, together.