From miles to “I Do”

Ethan and I met during a special season of life. He had come home for a month before being stationed in Hawaii, and his sister introduced us one night after I finished coaching a volleyball tournament. Ethans mom and I lived in the same apartment complex just three staircases apart so that night I ended up at their place, staying up talking with him, his mom, and sister until 3 a.m. What started as a simple introduction quickly turned into hours of deep conversations between Ethan and me about our goals, dreams, and what we wanted for our futures. Our first date was at Texas Roadhouse, and on January 20, 2022, he asked me to be his girlfriend.

Ethan left for Hawaii on February 11, 2022, and we began the first two years of our relationship an ocean apart. We texted every day and FaceTimed every single night, sharing the ordinary details of our days and learning how to love each other from a distance. The first time we saw each other again was in May, when I flew to Hawaii. We spent our days at the beach, going on dates, and even visiting wild animals at the zoo and that trip only confirmed what we already felt: our love was growing stronger. Through countless flights, missed holidays, and long goodbyes, Ethan never stopped showing up. His kindness, selflessness, and steady support meant everything to me. Even from thousands of miles away, he encouraged every dream and stood beside me through every season. And while he was cheering me on from afar, I was just as committed to being his safe place reminding him of his strength, praying over his days, counting down the weeks until we were together again, and choosing him in every season, no matter the distance. We learned how to love patiently, intentionally, and sacrificially. Looking back, that season didn’t just test us it strengthened us. It taught us how to communicate, how to trust, and how to build something steady even when miles stood between us. What could have pulled us apart instead built our foundation a love rooted in Christ, strengthened by trust, patience, and unwavering commitment. When Ethan finally came home in February 2024, we knew the distance had only prepared us for forever.

Ethan and I got engaged on December 15, 2025, during our seven-day Caribbean cruise aboard the MSC Seascape. It was the perfect day at sea we spent the afternoon by the pool, walking around the ship, and soaking in the relaxing rhythm of being out on the ocean together. That evening was formal night, and my mom and dad mentioned they wanted to take family pictures before dinner. Around 3:30, we went back to our room to get ready and in true “big moment” fashion, I decided my hair needed a little extra love. What started as a quick touch-up turned into me rewashing it and starting fresh. Looking back, it makes me laugh I had no idea I was getting ready for one of the most important moments of my life. By the time I finally felt ready, we found out we wouldn’t be able to take pictures before dinner after all. So we headed to dinner like normal… all while the ring was practically burning a hole in Ethan’s pocket. After dinner, we finally gathered for family photos. In the middle of it all, Ethan got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was the sweetest, most surreal moment of my life. After I said yes, we took more pictures, the staff surprised us with celebratory drinks, and we were showered with congratulations from everyone around us. We laughed, hugged, and soaked in every second of it. It was a night neither of us will ever forget the most perfect beginning to forever.