Spring of 2018, end of sophomore year, Massachusetts Maritime Academy: Megan met/noticed Jackson in the mess deck (cafeteria). They unknowingly shared mutual friends. The mutual friends Megan was with sat at a table of 12 where Jackson was sitting, Megan followed. It was one of the final days of the semester before everyone parted ways. There was something about him, his exuberance, the way he talked to and treated other people, the way he made newcomers at the table feel welcome, and more that made him unique and unlike anyone Megan had ever met before. As the entire table was full and enthralled in stories from the year and conversations, Jackson didn’t notice Megan, and Megan kept quiet to herself the entire meal, enjoying all the stories. After leaving the mess deck and before parting ways with friends for the semester, she made a comment to her friends saying she thought he was cute. To which they replied, “he’s from Washington”. Megan thought Washington DC and internally thought “oh, he doesn’t live too far away!” boy was she in for a surprise! Jackson and Megan officially met at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the fall of 2018, early into their junior year of college. The same mutual friends of Jackson and Megan separately invited them on a group night out where they met and instantly clicked. From there, they quickly became friends and learned they have a lot in common. Megan knew that regardless of the type of relationship they’d have, he would be an important person in her life for years to come. They stayed in touch and were invited to mutual events throughout the year. Spring of 2019, Megan and Jackson keep in touch over the summer while Megan interned at WHOI and Jackson was working on a ship, getting time towards his PIC cert to work on tankers. August of 2019, both return to campus as senior staff participating in orientation, preparing the incoming class of cadets for life at the academy. During a stressful time and both running on virtually no sleep, Jackson asked Megan to be his girlfriend. Fast forward, COVID happened, Megan secured a job in Seattle, they both graduated, moved out to Seattle, and the rest is history! Over 5 years later and here they are! Jackson proposed on August 4th, 2024 on his family’s boat, on Lake Washington in Seattle, during the annual Blue Angels show. Jackson and Megan have been going to the Lake Washington Blue Angels show annually for over 3 years.