At last!

We've pulled all-nighters at work and had midnight ice cream trips. We've supported each other through losses and major life transitions. We've laughed and cried together. We've fought for each other and with each other. Through it all one thing has remained constant, we've always been there for each other. Best of friends. As we've faced the challenges of the past year, it's never been so clear to me that you're the only one I can imagine going through future challenges with. I can't imagine a life without you in it. In many ways we're very different people, but it's our differences that make us strong. We balance each other. You're the logical, traditional, concrete kinda guy. I'm the dreamer, the optimist, the wild and what-if's kind of gal. You keep me grounded, I keep us stretching to the sky. I'm the kite and you're the line. So on this day, I promise you that I will love you completely. I will support you and care for you. I will celebrate your wins and comfort you during the hard times. I will build our family with you and fill our home with joy, laughter, learning, and compassion. I will encourage you to grow individually as we grow together. I promise to be goofy and do everything I can to make you laugh every single day. l will make you try new things, go new places, and have fun... like it or not. I promise to always give you shit, tease you relentlessly, and love you ridiculously. I promise to always need you to reach the top shelf, to kill spiders, and to build things for me, except flat pack furniture, cause that's kinda my thing. I promise that when we fight, I will always fight by your side because we are a team. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding. I will embrace your talents, abilities, and quirks and lend you strength for all of your dreams. I promise to respect you, cherish you, and to be generous with my time and my affection. I love you, I'm so excited to see what this next chapter brings.

Since the day I met you, I knew you were special. Growing from co-workers, to friends, to best friends and more. I promise to always treat you with the love and respect someone as special as you deserves. In many ways we are the same but in several others polar opposites. I promise to further nurture our similarities while appreciating and respecting the differences. Through thick and thin we have had many triumphs and joys, as well as many hardships and challenges. I promise to continue to celebrate the goods and never waiver in the bads. You've been my light in the dark and I, yours. I promise to be open in the dark and ready and at your side when you're in the shadows. Most of all, I promise to love you day by day, month by month, and year by year no matter what. I love you Jess!

We met when we served together in 2010. We worked closely and quickly became best friends. We would spend hours chatting about work, our lives, and joking around. During this time, we were there for each other through some very difficult times, including bad relationships and the loss of family members. After Jessica changed duty stations, we moved in together and soon became the proud fur parents to our 4 dogs Henley, Ryker, Anze, and Carter. Since we were both stationed at shore commands, we took the opportunity to get to know each other's families, go to sporting events (Go Kings Go!), take trips to Disneyland, and go on many other adventures.

In 2017, Ryan moved to Mississippi for duty requirements. In spite of the distance, we remained as close as ever, taking advantage of phone calls and time off whenever we could. In late 2017, Jessica began the process of transitioning from the military, including taking demanding coursework (that would end up being a life-changing choice). Throughout this stressful time, Ryan helped Jessica to remain grounded and supported her in every way he could. After she left the service there were several months spent interviewing for jobs with little luck. In early 2018, she received and accepted a job offer. Nervous and excited, she loaded up their household, their 4 dogs, and moved from San Diego with the help of Ryan's dad and his brother-in-law. A few months later, Ryan made the move to Washington as well. Reunited, we worked to make our house a home and build a stronger relationship. We also took the time to travel and visit family when they could.

Like most people, 2020 was tough for us. We were both extremely sick with "unknown upper respiratory infections" in February. Then March came, bringing quarantine and working from home for Jessica. At the end of March, Ryan was recalled to his ship and began what would become 10 months of separation for us and a difficult deployment for Ryan. In October, Jessica received a message that would change their lives forever. With Ryan still deployed, Jessica flew to Oklahoma and began the process of gaining guardianship of her 2 youngest nieces, Audra and Misty, and moved them to Washington to live with us. After many conversations about the future (and the present), we realized that neither of us could imagine going through life's difficulties with anyone else. Or without each other. It was at that moment that we decided to (finally) get married. If we can make it through 10 months of deployment, COVID-19, and suddenly becoming parents to 2 teenage girls, we can make it through anything!