We’re getting married!

In an attempt to rally himself through the monotony of everyday ship life, Doug decided to finally get some laundry done. It had been a couple weeks since his last visit, but that’s beside the point. His reluctance to zigzag through the bewildering maze of war-ship stairwells apparently was keeping him from an interaction that would change his life forever. Nevertheless, on this faithful laundry day, he worked up the strength and approached a woman with the name tag “Stamps.” She appeared to be in a rush, but Doug had the inclination to ask the obvious and said, “busy day today?” Playing it cool Geli replied “yes, what are you doing?” It was a brief encounter, but they assured each other to catch up another time. Little did he know, this wasn’t their first encounter, at least in Geli’s eyes. Geli had set her distant eyes on him weeks prior without his knowing. Her plan all along was to ‘run’ into Doug somewhere on the ship, and it so happened to be on this very day.

After an extensive underway the ship finally pulled into their first port: Duqm, Oman. Other than the single beer tent and basketball hoop awaiting our arrival, nothing but vast, dry desert land reached as far as the eyes could see. Doug invited Geli to hang out with him and his friends at the beer tent in the ‘sand box’. Geli was overly excited and immediately accepted the invitation. Hours go by and the group participated in a slam dunk contest, at a rim no one was athletic enough to reach, and in a bed of sand that seemed to sink further the harder they jumped. Geli was standing at the sidelines judging every single player, but Doug sweetly imagined her to be his cheerleader. After his last attempt to reach the rim, he wandered over to Geli with zero hesitation and kissed her. Geli kissed Doug back and they instantly knew it was love. At that moment, Doug became what his squad buddies still call him to this day, ‘Duqm Doug.’

Although Geli and Doug knew they would be living across the country from each other they chose to continue their relationship and make it work. Doug didn’t want Geli to feel alone when she moved to Maryland and took her to adopt a cat. They walked into PetSmart and saw many adorable cats, but a mean looking cat approached Doug and rubbed her little face against his hand. They looked at each other and knew she was the one. They named her Abigail Consuelo. Many months later Geli was conflicted and didn’t want Abby to be home alone all day while she was at work. Geli decided to get Abby a cat and without telling Doug, she came home with Oliver Olive. Doug reluctantly agreed to keep her, but refused to call her by her real name and instead calls her Gail.

Geli and Doug were sad to leave the east but so ready to move back to the west coast. As previous residents of San Diego, you could understand their excitement. However, their California orders sent them to a little farm-city called Lemoore. Living in the middle of the Central Valley has its perks, like there being no distractions. Between Doug and Geli taking on new career paths and continuing full time education, staying busy has kept them from realizing how plain and boring it can be in the valley. Granted, they’re just a 2-hour drive from the mountains and ocean. A mini vacation every so often makes their time in the heart of the nation’s agricultural capital worthwhile. When they’re not being consumed by the daily grind, you can find them comfortably lounging with Abby and Olive in their 3-bedroom, 2-bath house with a pool, which comes in handy considering the scorching hot and dry summers.

In the middle of summer, 2021, Doug and Geli had some of their closest family members visiting and preparing for a trip to explore Sequoia and Kings County National Park. The evening before departure, Doug headed to a nearby jewelry store on a whim. Geli and the fam were under the impression that he left to get some “ice cream” from Superior Dairy, a popular shop in Hanford, Ca. Knowing he wouldn’t be coming home with ice cream, he lied and said they were closed. All is well in Doug’s head though because he knew no ice cream could match the fat rock he had in his pocket. The next morning, the nervous jitters kicked in (chillax Doug, we’re not even to the mountains yet). It was a hot summer day, and the family was getting ready to go on a hike to see the General Sherman. Geli was busy making sure everyone was prepared for the long trip and packed enough water. Just before heading out, she changed her clothes after realizing she wanted to be more comfortable. This wasn’t the best idea in Doug’s head since he had dressed to match her for future pictures. “That’s what you’re going to wear?!” were the words that came out of his mouth after she changed yet again. There was too much push back to get her to change again and they soon were on the road. Hours later the group began their assent up the mountain. Finally reaching some flat ground to comfortably relax in ‘The Giant Forest,’ Doug began to act strange. He called attention to the group and announced, “I don’t want to be Geli’s boyfriend anymore.” Geli was about ready to push him over the ledge of a steep hill they were standing next to. Can you blame her? That was until Doug got on one knee and unzipped his fanny pack to reveal the truth behind his trip last night to get ‘ice cream.’ Geli barely noticed the ring and was shouting “YES!” before a word was even said. There were some screams, smiles, and tears of joy in their celebration before hiking back down to the starting point. The newly engaged couple would soon start wedding planning. After plenty of procrastination many meetings with wedding planners and venues, they are finally here!