Denise and Micaiah first crossed paths while deployed in 2020, though it wasn’t until a few months into their deployment that they truly connected. One evening, while everyone gathered outside to play cornhole and chat, they discovered they had a lot in common. From that night on, their bond grew as they spent countless hours talking and getting to know each other, forming a deep and meaningful friendship. When they returned home, their connection continued to flourish, and they began hanging out every weekend with their close-knit group of friends from deployment. As their friendship evolved, they took the next step and started dating in August 2021. Despite the physical distance—Micaiah in Wisconsin and Denise in Illinois—they made their relationship work, navigating the challenges of long-distance love with unwavering dedication. In July 2023, Micaiah surprised Denise with a stunning proposal in Iceland, marking the beginning of their next chapter together. They continued to spend nearly every weekend together, growing even closer as they built a future side by side. In May 2024, Micaiah graduated from MSOE and made the move to Illinois, bringing them even closer as they began this new phase of their journey. Their love story has been filled with adventure, challenges, and unforgettable moments, but through it all, they’ve known one thing for sure: they wouldn’t change a single thing.