We first crossed paths through a mutual friend (Caleb Sybrandy), but it wasn’t until a summer training exercise in Hawaii that we really connected. Between long days, beautiful sunsets, and limitless Mai Tai's, we spent a lot of time together and quickly realized how much we enjoyed each other’s company. By the time we were both back in San Diego, T decided to give it a shot — and once we started dating, we never looked back. Two weeks later, we were already meeting each other’s families, and soon after we set off on a two-week road trip through Yosemite, the Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park. Some people would call us crazy for setting out on something so intimate and vulnerable, but it became the start of something great. Camping under the stars, hiking miles of trails, and exploring the outdoors together showed us just how naturally our passions aligned. Four months later, Eric left for his first deployment — a true test of trust and love. But even with six months apart, it felt like we picked up right where we left off. That strength carried into our adventures together, from a three-week trip through Europe to welcoming our French Bulldog, Bison, into the family. Life hasn’t always been easy, with work travel and deployments often keeping us apart, but every moment together — at home or halfway around the world — has been filled with love, laughter, and adventure. In February 2025, Eric proposed at a viewpoint along Yosemite’s Four-Mile Trail — the very first trail we hiked together back in 2022. It was a full-circle moment that captured our story perfectly. One month later, Eric deployed again and Teresa moved to Colorado, another reminder of the challenges we’ve faced with distance. Through it all, we’ve leaned on trust, patience, and a deep love that continues to grow stronger. We can’t wait to start this next chapter surrounded by all of you — our closest friends and family — as we celebrate the adventure of a lifetime.