We met in August 2022 when we ended up in the same platoon at our Army Reserve unit in Richmond, VA. Hunter’s first drill was a convoy simulation, and—if you know Hunter—you know he immediately found a quiet corner to stand in so he could observe his new unit. To run the convoy, we needed volunteers for drivers, radio operators, and a convoy leader. Nobody wanted to be convoy leader, so since I was feeling brave and eager to learn, I stepped up. After reading through the operations order (OPORD), I briefed everyone on how we were going to execute safe movement to the area of operations (AO) and return to the rally point. After completing the simulation and our company debrief, Hunter came up to me to offer a few pointers based on what he’d learned during his active-duty time. So no—it wasn’t my spectacular brief that initially caught his attention. I later found out he noticed me the moment I walked through the door. He said the energy and charisma I carried immediately impressed him. We didn’t talk much after that, aside from routine Army conversations, until April 2023. During April drill, we had a PT test, and I was stationed at the 0.5-mile mark along the two-mile run route. I was waiting for the second group of runners to come through when SPC Mitchell strolled up to me. He told me he was going out to celebrate his birthday and the end of his Army Reserve contract and asked if I wanted to join. I asked who else was going, and when I found out my PSG—and partner in crime—SGT Lewis would be there, I decided to go. Long story short, while we were at the bar, Hunter and I ended up talking. I asked him about his lanyard, which had a Carolina Hurricanes logo on it. And if you know Hunter, you can imagine what happened next—it sent him down a rabbit hole of all things hockey. I, of course, told him I’m a CAPS fan, which he was appalled by. But apparently he wasn’t too offended, because we talked the rest of the night… and many nights after that.

August 2022: We were acquainted April 28, 2023: We officially became friends May 2023: Hunter came to stay with me in Blacksburg! May 11 & 12, 2023: I took him on my favorite hikes (Cascades and Dragon's Tooth) and almost killed him from lack of caffeine and allowing him to hike Dragon's Tooth in pants. May 11, 2023: I showed him the inside of Lane stadium including the infamous rock that all the football players tap for good luck as they run through the tunnel on game day, and almost got arrested. May 13, 2023: He invited me to his family Pig Pickin to celebrate mother's day and his Niece's birthday! May 14, 2023: He officially asked me to be his girlfriend! June 3, 2023: We went kayaking on Boddies Mill pond in Rocky Mt, NC June 4, 2023: We visited the Outdoor Art Museum in Raleigh, NC July 3, 2023: We visited Washington, DC July 15, 2023: We hiked Tinker Cliffs July 16, 2023: We went tubing down the New River and went to Rising Silo Brewery after where we drank beer & picked sunflowers July 22, 2023: We hiked Bald Knob for sunset July 23, 2023: We went to Sinkland Farms to pick sunflowers! September 2, 2023: Hunter’s first VT football game September 4, 2023: We hiked McAfee’s Knob September 16, 2023: I went to my first UNC football game September 17, 2023: We ran the Canes 5k November 18, 2023: I went to my first Canes Hockey Game December 19, 2023: We hiked Old Rag December 31, 2023: We went to Raleigh, NC to celebrate New Years and watch the Acorn drop February 11-13, 2023: We celebrated Valentine’s Day in Banner Elk April 8, 2024: We watched the Lunar eclipse and celebrated Hunter’s Birthday in Chapel Hill! April 20, 2024: We ran the Tarheel 10 miler June 7-9, 2024: We went to Emerald Isle June 24, 2024: We picked blueberries at Hunter’s grandfather’s August 24, 2024: We went to the driving range and I finally learned how to hit a golf ball correctly August 25, 2024: We went skydiving! December 31 2024: Hunter went to his first CAPS game and we celebrated New years in DC February 8, 2025: Hunter learned how to snowboard in Vermont March 8, 2025: We arrived in Colorado for our first ever ski trip out west March 12, 2025: We got engaged!