It all began in August 2021 when a swipe on Tinder led us to a love story that spanned 3,767 miles. There I was, living in Virginia Beach, and Charlie was stationed in Rota, Spain with the US Navy. I remember seeing Charlie’s profile and being intrigued by his smile and stories—though I was also a bit puzzled by how a match could be so far away. But something told me to take a chance, so I swiped right, and the adventure began. Our early days were filled with late-night texts and FaceTime dates. On our very first video call, we decided to order sushi simultaneously so we could share a meal “together” despite the distance. Charlie's dedication to making our virtual dates special was clear from the start. When February 2022 rolled around and Charlie finally landed in Virginia, I could hardly contain my excitement. While he was busy settling into his new surroundings, I didn’t want to wait for him to make the first move. So, I invited him to a local hockey game with some of my coworkers. I think Charlie’s enthusiasm might have been boosted by our fantastic seats, but his charm was unmistakable. He showed up with a bouquet of flowers and a little toy for my foster dog, Marley. If that’s not a gesture of a true southern gentleman, I don’t know what is! From that first in-person date, everything just fell into place. Despite our hectic schedules, making time for each other felt effortless. We found comfort in each other’s company, whether we were cooking together, talking about our day, or exploring Virginia Beach. Each moment spent together— felt like a piece of a perfect puzzle falling into place. In July 2023, our family grew by four paws when we welcomed our adorable puppy, Birdie. Her playful spirit and boundless energy quickly made her an inseparable part of our lives, bringing even more joy and laughter into our home. As we continued to build our life together, Charlie surprised me with a beautiful proposal in February 2024. It was a moment of pure magic, marking the start of our next chapter with the promise of forever. So here we are, ready to take the next step in our adventure together. We’re excited to continue this journey, knowing that with each other, every day is a new opportunity to laugh, love, and cherish the beautiful life we’re building. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all and share this next chapter of our love story!