With the traveling nature of both Cassy and Joey it’s a miracle their paths crossed when they did, with only one week to seal the deal. Cassy was living and working on Oahu as a Contract nurse for the military and Joey was visiting for a Naval training exercise. Joey took a shot with a punny nursing appendix joke trying to win over the nurse side of Cassy…. we can’t say thats what sealed the deal but the following days sure did. Good thing for both of them they are adrenaline junkies and love a good adventure, so when Cassy suggested to go free diving with sharks Joey jumped at the opportunity, booked his ticket, and sent over the confirmation. After receiving a phone call that the waves were too big that day to go out, both were disappointed but Joey had a plan B. Joey and Cassy’s first time hanging out was the day of her late father’s birthday January 24th, who ironically was also a helicopter pilot for the Navy. Could you imagine the conversations that could have happen with Joey and Bill over their Naval days, would love to be a fly on the wall for that. So this plan B… Joey’s Navy friend gave him some Hawaiian secret beaches. Next thing you know Joey and Cassy are sitting on a secluded beach, laughing, watching sea turtles and getting to know each other. Throughout the day the only RED flag we both saw was that Joey’s a Vikings fan and Cassy’s a Packers fan. This week flew by with memories and a bond that formed without question. Joey’s birthday was two weeks later and he asked Cassy if she wanted to fly out to California to hit up wine country (he obviously knows the way to Cassy’s heart) and to spend his birthday together. At this time the first real friend meetings started happening, Cassy was able to meet Joey’s group of close friends in California and a month later Joey and Cassy met up in Arizona where Joey was able to meet some of Cassy’s best friends…. Then COVID hit and we were separated by an ocean, living multiple time zones apart. We adapted as everyone did, but the commitment and dedication from both Joey and Cassy to continue this journey is a testament to their love for each other. Once Cassy moved away from Hawaii the real journey begun. Joey was traveling around the country living out of his car and Cassy continued her travel nursing career. Eventually they welcomed the cutest golden doodle Riesling into the family, then shortly after moved to Charlotte NC where they reside today.

Joey being the chivalrous pilot that he is, rented a little Cessna 150, we lightly packed to preserve weight for the small plane, drove up to the airport and were off! Joey reserved an AirBnB with beach views in Myrtle Beach, one last beach trip to close out the fall season. Cassy originally had her suspicions but when Joey suggested on the second night that they could go down to the “Boardwalk Fright Nights” she started to doubt that the question was going to happen on this trip *I mean can you imagine Joey getting down on one knee with a bunch of zombies and ghouls walking around, with the Monster Mash blaring in the background? haha* side note - Cassy loves haunted houses, ghost tours, anything to do with horror, and well Joey does not. — Grabbing a bite to eat at the Landshark Bar and Grill, the weather was nice, the bar was popping, and sunset was just around the corner and Joey suggested that we try and see the sunset from the top of the Giant Sky Wheel. We closed out and hustled over and somehow were the first people in line. Took a quick cute photo prior to getting on the Sky Wheel and jumped in the enclosed gondola, the timing was perfect! The sun was setting and Cassy was taking ALL of the photos of the beautiful sunset. Joey trying to convince Cassy to put her phone down and “enjoy the views” and once she did we broke some posted rules. Rule #1 no standing. Joey grabbed Cassy’s hands and asked her to stand… and you guess it! He popped the question at the very top of the sky wheel, sunset and all. And quickly afterwards they were cheersing champagne out of plastic cups back at the Landshark! I think Joey said it best “I flew to the beach with my girlfriend, and flew back with my Fiancée!”