May 2016. We have technology to thank for our modernized relationship! Just after deployment, Michael returned to base in Jacksonville, North Carolina and was hanging out with some friends when one of them was facetiming their girlfriend at the time... Chelsea's dear friend, Lindsey. After striking up a conversation with Lindsey, Michael asked if she had any attractive single friends. Chelsea was not looking for any relationship with her hectic school and softball schedule, so like a good friend, Lindsey said no. However, everyone knows how persistent Michael can be.. Lindsey finally admitted to having one single friend and after finding Chelsea on social media, Michael said, "I'm going to marry this girl." Who knew? Michael did. After a few days of messaging back and forth, Michael took it upon himself to call Chelsea randomly. As an extreme extrovert, he is way more comfortable talking on the phone than texting, unlike Chelsea who shy and introverted. However, the conversation was so easy and effortless. It felt like they knew each other for years... Fast forward a few months: July 2016. It was time to meet in person. Lindsey was planning a trip to North Carolina and invited Chelsea to tag along. They had this whole cross country road trip planned from Arizona that included stops along the way to see family members. Every one of them thought Chelsea was crazy driving all that way to meet some Marine. "Is he worth it?" They'd ask. Chelsea sure thought so. After 36 hours of driving, stops along the way, it was time to meet each other. Meeting for dinner, nerves were at an all time high for both Chelsea and Michael. As the girls walked into Texas Roadhouse, "Tennessee Whiskey" was playing, Michael and Chelsea locked eyes, the instant connection was there, Chelsea was awkward, Michael was a gentleman, and that first date set the foundation for a strong and beautiful relationship. The rest is history...

Christmas Eve, 2018. With plans set in place to move to IL, Chelsea and Michael packed everything up in AZ to drive to NM for Christmas, before continuing their roadtrip to their new home in IL. While in NM, Chelsea's family participated in one of NM's many traditions to set a light path of luminarias around their neighborhoods filling many brown paper bags with sand and candles in the process. On Christmas Eve, knowing how long it takes Chelsea to get ready, Shawn and Shelley asked everyone to get dressed up to take Christmas pictures in the evening. This seemed pretty normal, so Chelsea didn't think anything of it. Meanwhile, there was a plan brewing that everyone besides her was aware of. Even Wyatt and Colton knew what was happening and kept the plan a secret from their Aunt. Once she was finally ready, Chelsea walked downstairs only to find no one in the living room. Little did she know, that while she was getting ready, Shelley was setting up the decorations outside and Michael was nervously planning what to say during the proposal. As Chelsea started to get curious, Shawn walked inside and said "Shelley's parents just got here, everyone is outside, and I have a surprise for you." "A surprise? What could possibly be outside from Shawn? A car? lol Definitely not." Chelsea thought. As Shawn blindfolded her, they started walking outside. Chelsea thought this was so strange but just went along with it. "Maybe he's pranking me." She thought. It wasn't until she heard their song, "Tennessee Whiskey" playing when Chelsea's suspicions were confirmed. A million thoughts came to Chelsea's mind as she started realizing what was going on, and Michael was scared out of his mind, fearing a "No" would be her response. As Shawn lifted the blindfold, Michael was down on one knee, there was a sign that read "Will you Marry Me?", luminarias surrounding them, hearts projected on the house, Shelley hiding behind a rock to record, and a shaken "Yes" stutters from Chelsea's lips.