Our story all began 11 years ago onboard the USS KITTYHAWK in Yokosuka Japan at our first duty station. We both were working as Yeoman (Administration). Jessica always thought Brandon hated her and little did she know he secretly had a crush on her. They lost touch after the decommissioning of the ship but reunited in September 2016 thanks to Facebook. Brandon sent Jessica a friend request and conversation never stopped. Brandon was in San Diego, CA and Jessica was in Vancouver, WA. So after a month of talking nonstop Jessica booked a flight to San Diego. Brandon was waiting there at the airport in his Navy uniform a scene straight out of a Nicholas Sparks book, butterflies raced in both our stomachs as we embraced for our first hug and kiss! It was love!

A long distance relationships is difficult but when two people truly love one another you can move mountains together. Luckily the distance only lasted 8 months but they made the time to see each other for a long weekend every month. Plus thank goodness for FaceTime! We talked every day. The venture ahead was no easy task but every door opened as it needed to...

During President’s weekend we planned a day trip to the Vista House on Crown Point in the Columbia Gorge a historic landmark built in 1918 and to see some waterfalls along the way. You could tell the nervousness of Brandon that morning and that Jessica spent a little extra time getting ready just in case he got down on one knee. We arrived at the Vista House and the view was stunning as we walked around taking it all in. During our walk we luckily found a NW rock right next to what we will now know as our spot on crown point. Brandon grabbed Jessica’s hands and told her how much he loved her and that she has given more meaning to his life. That the love he felt was true and that he couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with her. He then got down on one knee and cracked open the box hoping the the carat and a half diamond ring would finish saying all the rest of the words that just couldn’t be said. “Will you marry me?”.... “Yes!!!!!! Of course, I love you” it was truly a magical moment!