We met in Pensacola less than a month before Kip was set to leave for California and before Gabby knew where she was going to be stationed next. We were in the same squadron and had seen each other around, but one day Kip was out surfing and bumped into Gabby right before she took a horrible tumble on a wave. She was so bruised from hitting her board she had to paddle in. We started talking and soon after Gabby found out she too was moving to California. Kip was secretly super excited. We talked for hours on the phone while Gabby was driving out to California and almost immediately after she arrived we went surfing together. Afterward, we grabbed tacos and talked for hours eventually finding out we both shared so many of the interests, goals, and faith. We then spent every free moment together climbing, surfing, skiing, and adventuring. The first big test was when Kip deployed 10 months into dating which was shortly followed by a detactment and another deployment. Inbetween deployment two and three Kip popped the question on a nine mile hike up to a glacial lake. He didn't want to leave for deployment without knowing he was going to spend the rest of his life with Gabby. His last deployment ended up extended from five to nine months and he finally made it home August of this past year. Since then life has been perfect for us now that we are together and 17 months after getting engaged we are so excited to celebrate our love and be wed in front of all our best family and friends.