Kaid and I met in my hometown of Scottsdale, AZ. My brother Ryan's friend, JP "FuMBLS," informed him that he and three other guys (Kaid "SkinnyGirl," Aidan "BKR," and Kevin "Spacey") from his Navy squadron would be visiting Scottsdale on a cross-country trip. Ryan invited them to stay at our parents' house for the weekend. Consequently, four Navy F-18 fighter pilots flew two jets into the Scottsdale Airpark, where my brother and brother-in-law picked them up on Friday afternoon, April 1, 2022. I first met Kaid that evening at my parents' house, though our interaction was brief. The following day, we all gathered at my sister's house to hang by the pool and play backyard games. During the day, Kaid and I struck up a conversation that flowed effortlessly. That night, we all went out to Boondocks together, where Kaid bought me a drink, and we danced the night away! The next day, as the boys were preparing to fly out, Kaid suggested I come watch. So, Ryan and I took them to the airport, where we watched the boys start the jets on the tarmac and stayed to see them take off. Before they departed, I distinctly recall saying to Kaid, "I don't know if I'll ever see you again, but it was nice meeting you!" Clearly, that statement was far from the truth... Kaid texted me as soon as they arrived back in California. Our conversation continued for a few days, leading to his invitation for me to attend a "dining out" (a Navy formal dinner event), which I enthusiastically accepted! Kaid planned the most perfect weekend, and everything between us felt so natural and effortless. When I was about to leave, he asked me about dating, but I wasn't quite ready, so I made him wait ;) Despite this, we stayed in touch and managed to see each other a few more times over the following months. It wasn't long before I realized how perfect he was for me and that I was falling in love with him. On July 1, 2022, we officially declared our relationship at my family cabin in Munds Park, AZ.

It was right before Christmas, and we headed up to our cabin in Munds Park, AZ, with my family. This trip was bittersweet, as it would be our last visit before my parents sold the cabin. We wanted to cherish one final memory there... little did I know how significant that memory would become! On the chilly, nearly snowy morning of our first day there, as we were preparing to visit my parents' new cabin, Kaid pulled me out to the back porch. He began reminiscing about how this was where he first told me he loved me and where our relationship officially began. Before I could fully process it, Kaid was down on one knee, asking me to marry him. Overwhelmed with joy, I said YES! Unbeknownst to me, my thoughtful brother Ryan had been hiding in the bushes, capturing this unforgettable moment. We spent the rest of the day celebrating with my family and sharing the exciting news with our close friends and Kaid's family over FaceTime. It was a day filled with love and happiness, marking the perfect end to our time at the cabin.