I first met Taylor in Miliary Technical Training in 2012. My senior class and I were standing at attention while being yelled at due to the baby class' "...lack of will to uphold the Air Force Core Values ". As there were many transgressions listed, one in particular, was highlighted. One Airman decided to break one of the schoolhouse's cardinal rules when it pertains to officers. Once the yelling session was over (after 45 minutes), I angrily looked over my shoulder to look upon the culprit. On the far side of the room, I spotted a nonchalant Taylor. Our eyes met with mine expressing " I DARE you to mess up again!" and Taylor's saying, "Challenge Accepted!". A couple of months later, a few friends and I gathered at the dorms to watch 'The Walking Dead'. One particular friend was there to "borrow" the internet to PC-game. A friendly discussion broke out and Taylor was asked to pick a side. When Taylor decided not to, I confronted him about his lack of conviction. After everyone returned to their dorms, I gave Taylor my number and attempted to continue the conversation via texting. 8 years later, we’re engaged and I’m still attempting to have multiple, unfinished conversations with him.

Hmm, where to begin... I suppose it all started in San Antonio at Randolph AFB. A few friends and I got in trouble on our first day of training over something irrelevant. In the military, when one person makes a mistake, everyone gets in trouble – So naturally, some peers at the time like Nikki were very upset that I was part of a group that got us in trouble. Trainees like me didn’t care because we planned on “circumventing” the punishment anyway. I did find it humorous that Nikki cared so much over something so trivial and that’s what initially piqued my interest in her. Fast forward a few months later and Nikki, myself, and a handful of our peers are now living in Las Vegas while waiting on additional training. A mutual friend of ours agreed to let me chill in his dorm to leech off his internet, but informed me others would be joining to all watch a popular show at the time. Shortly after, I see Nikki walk in and immediately start making demands and getting into “debates” with a few of the individuals present. Then out of nowhere without even really knowing me – she attempts to get me on her side in one of these conversations. I’m not paying attention to her and ultimately take a neutral standpoint on the topic which frustrates her. So much so, that she insisted on getting my number to further the conversation until I “see things from her point of view”. Eight years later and she still keeps trying to argue with me.

It was during our final night in our beautiful villa in Bali, Indonesia and we were preparing to go to dinner. Taylor received a phone call and insisted that the front office needed to speak with him. 10 minutes later the doorbell rang and I was greeted by the resort team lead. She told me Taylor needed my help with something at the front desk. So I followed her down a stone path (not realizing I’m walking in the opposite direction of the main office--SMH) to an open garden area. As soon as I entered, 'Careless Whisper' by George Michael started playing and I saw Taylor standing in the middle of this heart-shaped ring of flowers…