This is the story of a beginning. A beginning that began six moves, five years, four aircraft, three continents, two people and one puppy ago. Maile from Texas and Matthew from Georgia. Their paths would first converge in Annapolis, Maryland where they attended school together between 2006 and 2009 - although this fact was completely unbeknownst to either of them. The happy couple was destined to meet three years later in the land of the rising sun at a Korean barbecue restaurant known simply as "smokies"; while piercing through flavorful smoke and vibrant conversation between the mutual friend that brought them there (thanks Tom Flannagan), Matthew noticed Maile and Maile noticed Matthew. The next two years were spent together, summers traveling the Western Pacific on cruise, carefree on the good ships Washington and Antietam, visiting and planning three day vacations in ports of call such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Guam, Brisbane, Busan, and Manila. Winters were spent as far away from those good ships as possible, cruising the Andaman Sea in Thailand on a rented catamaran, skiing down the slopes of Mount Niseko and "scrambling like a crab" to the 10,000 foot summit of Mount Tsurigi-Dake. In Japan, Matthew loved Maile's insatiable desire to travel and see the world, and Maile loved Matthew's excitement to go anywhere. Together, they made it happen.

Fast forward a few months and two transpacific moves later, they land in sunny (and humid) Pensacola, Florida where Matthew and Maile would each spend the next three years living together in their first house. Mako joined as a four month old rescue pup and brings her energetic attitude, fun loving playfulness, mischievous counter surfing, and knowledge of the street life to the family daily. Now back stateside, the travels to South Pacific islands were traded for family reunions and friends weddings in California, Michigan, and Texas, Niseko for Colorado and Lake Tahoe, and Tsurigi-Dake for the southern portions of the Appalachian Trail. Maile introduced Matthew to offshore sailing, racing a couple times per month with the the crew of Atlantic Union, even once winning a regatta to Cancun; Matthew joining for the return trip back to Pensacola. On the Gulf Coast, Matthew Loved Maile's continuing drive and persistence to make their home, her student aviators, and herself better. Maile loved Matthew's devotion and willingness to wait until 10pm to start cooking dinner (a recently acquired skill..) while she was working during long summer nights. Their most recent move brought the three across the country to the Pacific Northwest where they are enjoying a reprieve from southern summers and making a home on Whidbey Island. They enjoy exploring, hiking, camping, and skiing in the mountains, as well as sailing and kayaking the San Juan Islands, one of which Matthew proposed on during a perfectly provided beach sunset in October.

So here we are; six moves, five years, four aircraft, three continents, two people and one dog later, at a beginning, our beginning. We are both so happy to invite you all, our family and lifelong friends to celebrate the beginning of the rest of our lives together. We can't wait to see what adventures remain and where they will take us!