We first saw each other in the hallways of Madisonville High School and in the Ag building. We talked once or twice in passing but knew almost nothing about each other. Then, in October 2021, we were both invited to a birthday party. We ended up sitting at the same table with the simple intention of people-watching and staying out of the way, but once we started talking, we didn’t stop. Tucker kept me laughing and entertained the entire night. From there, we became high school sweethearts in the truest sense. We were never far from each other. Tucker picked me up for school every morning and took me home every afternoon. We talked for hours on the phone at night. We spent vacations on the beach with my family and spent every minute together that we could. Life was good—simple and perfect. Then Tucker graduated from high school and joined the Marines. He left in June 2023, and it felt like my whole heart had been pulled away. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced: no calls, no texts, no visits. When I flew to San Diego to watch him graduate from boot camp, it was incredible. Thankfully, he came home for a short time, and we soaked up every second together. On September 19, 2023, Tucker asked me to marry him. We were both so excited! Since then, we’ve learned how to do long distance. We talk and FaceTime every day. We tell each other everything so we can still be part of each other’s daily lives. I’ve even met his buddies over the phone. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s true what they say: distance really does make the heart grow fonder. Our love only deepened during our time apart. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of life. Tucker can’t wait for me to move to North Carolina and begin life as a Marine wife—and I’m just as ready. We’re planning our first home together and looking forward to all the adventures ahead. We know the Marine Corps may take us far from home, but we also know that together, we can handle anything. Not long ago, I asked him why he fell in love with me. This is what he said: “Because when I first met you, you were the only person I didn’t have to act differently around. I could just be myself. I thought you were the most beautiful person I’d ever seen, and you didn’t have to change a thing for me to think that. You never changed how you acted or talked to me, and you never cared that I didn’t—and still don’t—have money, or that I’m not the best-looking.”