Wedding time!

Imagine it. The barren landscape of Clovis, New Mexico stretches out before you. The air is full with the scent of nearby cow patties, permeating the cold, crisp December air. A single, sad tumbleweed rolls across the street in front of you. The wild west, home of America’s AFSOC Air Commandos. And you wonder to yourself, "what the fuck am I doing here?" Across town, in a single story (somewhat) mouse infested office building adjacent to the flight line, two CSOs lock eyes across the step desk. One new to town, nervous about her first day at the squadron and anxious to meet the sponsor she's known only in text thus far. She turns the corner on her first day and sees one Lt Alicia Logan leaning against the step desk in a leather jacket, every inch a tall drink of water. She stops in her tracks and thinks to herself "Damn. She fine." In the same breath, aforementioned Lt Logan is also taken aback. She never realized that they let people that short wear flight suits-our plane is tiny so it works out. Instantly, she knows she will do anything to continue to see that gorgeous smile and those breathtaking ice blue eyes. They meet and shake hands, introducing herself officially as "K-T" (most people still don't realize what it stands for). From then on, the connection between them continues to grow until finally one of them grows a spine and makes a move (it was Alicia). They work together to tend to their budding love, and move together as one unit into the future. With two very sincere and beautiful engagements, Alicia and K-T are prepared to take on the world. Adventure by adventure. Hand in hand. For the rest of their lives.

I think part of me has know from the start that I wanted Alicia to be my wife, but I felt like I should “wait for the right time.” Back in the fall of 2019, I came to the conclusion that there was really no reason to wait any longer to get started on our life together. I was still on deployment at the time but I talked with my brother and some friends and managed to find the perfect ring. I was too excited to wait so I ordered it and sent it to Ohio for my brother to give to my parents, so I could pick it up in January and pop the question in the mountains. Well, my lovely bride had a say in my plans, it seems. I was on the rotator home when I get a frantic text from Heather, Alicia’s SIL, saying the ring I got is actually two sizes too small. Oh no! After getting home, I had to smuggle the too tiny ring back from Colorado, send it back to get resized, and come up with a new proposal plan! I was racking my brain, trying to get her to take a trip with me, anything to make it special, but I couldn’t get any traction. Luckily, my bridesman Matt Elbus mentioned a group was going hiking the next weekend at Palo Duro, a beautiful nearby hiking area. Perfect! This is my chance! Only one problem: my resized ring is still in Ohio! As the day gets closer, the stress level is rising. The morning of, we're on our hike and I’m a mess, trying to come up with the right words and the right spot to tell her all the things she means to me. She comes through for me again, and suggests we take a picture alone together on top of a hill - this is it! This is my chance! I don’t remember much about the actual proposal - just getting down on one knee and holding the ring out. She gave me that half smile I love so much and said “well are you gonna ask me or not?” I finally got the words out to ask her to marry me and she said yes! It was worth every moment of stress to put that ring on her hand and start our future together. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

If you've heard the story(ies), then you know KT beat me to popping the question. I returned home from deployment earlier than KT and immediately began ring shopping. Luckily she left her class ring at home, so I went to have it sized and began perusing! I found something I loved and knew she would love- it ticked all the boxes. After sneaking out of the house a few times to finalize things, to include pretending I just HAD to have asparagus with dinner one night so I could get to the store, I finally had things lined up. Everything was paid for and I just had to wait for them to set the diamond and tell me it's ready. To my surprise, KT had already ordered my ring and was planning her proposal! She is not as sneaky as she thinks she is so I figured something was up ;). Her proposal was beautiful and I loved it! She got down on one knee, shaking, and the first words out of my mouth were "did you beat me to it?!" lol. The rest of her cute story is above :) In the meantime, I am planning a trip to the Grand Canyon to "meet with a mutual friend and spend Valentine's day together". We did, in fact, do those things but the real reason was my planned proposal inside the beautiful Antelope Canyon. We meet up with Jess, one of my Brosmaids, and we have dinner. KT thinks at this point she would be able to tell if something was up because I've been so relaxed about the trip (who knows how I pulled that off). We didn't give her any ideas at dinner and the next morning we are going on our tour of the canyon. It's a very time sensitive tour and we didn't have much time for exploring. We see a beautiful spot and opportunity, I give Jess the signal, I get on one knee, and pull out the ring. The expression on her face was priceless and she very hastily moves everything from her left hand into her right. In that moment, I probably blacked out, but I remember asking if she would be my forever adventure partner and if she would spend the rest of her life by my side. Hearing her say yes was the best moment! I can't wait to keep exploring this life with you KT. To this adventure and all of them to come!