We're Getting married!

Drew and Megan’s first date was a whirlwind of unexpected twists, yet it turned out to be magical despite the mishaps. Originally planned as a bowling outing, the evening took a turn when they arrived to find all the lanes were fully booked. Quick to think on his feet, Drew found a nearby Thai restaurant instead. However, their luck didn’t improve there, as the waitstaff completely forgot about them. They ended up waiting over an hour and a half before being served, but the extended wait allowed them to engage in deep conversation. Megan's passion for firefighting, along with her qualities of strength, kindness, and intelligence, immediately stood out to Drew. As the dinner progressed, they discovered their mutual love for nature and the outdoors, which has since become a core bond in their relationship. The following day, Drew called Megan and learned her birthday was just two days away, and her original plans had fallen through. He suggested celebrating with a dinner date, hoping for a better experience. They enjoyed a great meal at one of Megan's favorite Mexican restaurants before heading to an overlook in the Cleveland National Forest. The drive up the steep, winding road was a bit nerve-wracking, but the view of the night sky and city lights made it worth it. The date was going well until they realized on their way back that the road was closed for construction. They were stranded on the far side of the mountains and had to take a two-hour detour to return. Despite it all, they enjoyed the extra time to further get to know each other. Drew is captivated by Megan’s enthusiasm, caring nature and love for the outdoors. Megan, in turn, is drawn to Drew’s compassion, patience, intelligence and grit. From Drew’s deployments and field operations to Megan’s wildlands firefighting duties across California, throughout their relationship, they have faced numerous challenges from being apart. Despite the distance, they made a point to talk and video call every day, making their time together even more special. Their favorite memories from their first few years together include traveling across California to the Channel Islands, Mojave Desert, Salton Sea, and Hearst Castle, as well as hiking, snorkeling, and lobster diving and spearfishing in Orange County. After Drew left the Navy, he and Megan relocated to the East Coast and now live in Providence, RI. She is currently attending Paramedic School and working as an EMT with the City of Fall River, with plans to join a local fire department upon graduation. Drew is working as an EMT for a private ambulance company and is currently applying to Physician Assistant schools throughout New England. They continue to enjoy hiking in New Hampshire’s “mountains” with their two-year-old Belgian Malinois, Okoye, and have spent much of their summer clamming, fishing, and beekeeping together. They look forward to a lifetime of adventures together!