I had always dreamed of living in good 'ol Cowboy Country (about a 6 hour drive away from Giovanna), little did I know that Texas was much different than what I had imagined. However, I had come to live, by sheer coincidence, with some of Giovanna's family members. It was sometime March that we planned a road-trip down to New Orleans and I had met the young lady, which I look at and adore. We talked and, laughed and, shared serious incites. It was as if we had built a connection purely from the look of one pupil to another. Unfortunately a man must serve his duty, and it was at the start of 2023 that I had embarked on a journey to become a United States Marine. 3 months passed and about 2000 miles had put us quite a part. I was now studying to become one of Americas premier linguists at the Defense Language Institute of Monterey, and although Arabic was no friend of mine, I endured. During my time there me and Giovanna got to see just how inseparable we were, even if the time-zones and the miles felt like rocks in our shoes, we persevered, with the hope that in the future we could be together, united in matrimony. Eventually, on October 3rd 2024, I had the guts to pop the question. We took a day trip to Bixby Bridge with my Uncle and Aunt, and we were met with the most gorgeous setting sun. I poured my heart out and let her know that I wanted her, from that moment on and until the end of all things. As I wrapped all my loose ends in Monterey, it was about time for the final hurdle in my long training days as an Arabic linguist. Goodfellow Air Force Base. San Angelo was at times the most irritable and stressful of places and at others it felt that I didn't want it to end. I had further refined my friendships there and was able to carry on the memories that were made there. Alas, good times and even tough times all come to an end. I'm ready to head out to my first duty station now. I can't wait for the adventures and I can't wait to learn even more! And if there is one thing that keeps me looking at the calendar, it's my wedding date. It's the promise looming on the horizon of a peaceful afternoon underneath a cherry tree with the wind blowing gently on the wheat fields of the surrounding farms. The day I've waited so long for. Our wedding date! - Enrickey W. B. Costa