Like so many modern love stories, ours began online — a few messages here and there, some calendar juggling, and finally, a coffee shop date in San Diego that changed everything. Andy: “She asked me if I liked banana coffee. In my head, I said ‘no,’ but out loud, I said ‘yes.’ It wasn’t my favorite. All I could think was, how is this girl still talking to me? She’s amazing.” Karleigh: “We took a walk afterward and talked about a second date. I couldn’t wait to see this Midwest gentleman again.” That first date turned into many more — a trip to the zoo, a waterfall hike with a picnic, making dinners, finding yummy San Diego restaurants, meeting each other's friends and families, and even weathering a potential hurricane together (don’t worry, Andy brought MREs and all the gear… just in case). We met each other’s families the first Christmas together and, somehow, still stuck around. Andy says he knew Karleigh was “the one” when she asked if he’d be open to pre-marriage counseling. (Spoiler: he said yes.) Karleigh knew he was the one after watching Andy effortlessly win over her entire extended family. Some of our favorite memories? A trip to Big Bear filled with laughs, snacks, a pontoon ride with Mo, and emergency preparedness Accidentally flying to North Carolina a full week early for a wedding (and still having a great time) A surprise muffin and note Karleigh slipped into Andy’s lunchbox before the biggest flight of his career — a moment of calm he’ll never forget And then came the proposal. Before Andy deployed, we planned a whirlwind European adventure — Dublin, London, Munich, Paris. Somewhere between fish & chips and champagne, Andy decided London would be the place. He booked the Cupid Pod on the London Eye (a private capsule with champagne and chocolates), nervously checked his fanny pack 7+ times to make sure the ring was still there, and popped the question at the very top. Spoiler: she said yes. So here we are — with hearts full, passports stamped, and a very spoiled dog named Mo — ready to start this next chapter together.