Our story begins on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower ship. We weren’t planning on meeting each other—let alone ending up here, getting married years later. If we’re being honest, Veronica didn’t like me at first. At the time, I had a reputation for falling asleep everywhere. I always did what I needed to do, but I was also always asleep. Veronica assumed I was just a lazy bum. That opinion stuck until we started working together and she realized she could count on me to help her with all her tech needs because she isn’t very tech savvy. We got partnered to work together on a brief and we both learned that we worked very well with each other and balanced each other out. One day I ran into her while I was at the store in our barracks building buying an embarrassing amount of snacks—4 boxes of every Little Debbie they had plus ramen. We talked for a bit, but I was mostly just trying to act normal while holding a basket full of food I knew wouldn’t even last the night. Over time, we became inseparable and worked together all the time. The ship was brutal for both of us, and we were dealing with things many didn’t know in our own personal lives. We began carpooling due to our long daily commute—and most times taking turns crying in the car and singing out loud to all types of music we introduced each other to. We were always there for each other and through the chaos, we became best friends. Our friendship was one of a kind, and consisted a lot of wine, tacos, and volunteer events she would sign us up for. Then in 2020, we moved in together as friends and after about 7 bottles of wine, we kissed. We both knew immediately that it wasn’t like any kiss either of us had ever experienced. We kissed again later that day, and that was where our relationship really started. But real life isn’t always simple and mistakes were made. We didn’t talk for almost 3 years and there isn’t a day I’m not grateful we found our way back. I got asked to go to Jacksonville for 3 months before I got out of the Navy. The first thing I did was text Veronica and ask if she wanted to meet up—just as friends, just to be in each other’s lives again. That first weekend, I drove to Orlando to meet up with her for the first time in years. I was nervous and excited. When Veronica walked in, I swear my heart stopped. We hugged for what felt like forever, and that weekend was filled with laughing, talking, and catching up like no time had passed. I had my best friend back and, in that moment, I knew I wanted to be with her. My best friend and love of my life. From there, we started building our beautiful life together. We’ve also faced heartbreak together. We found out we were going to have a baby, and we were so excited—but we had a miscarriage. We only told our immediate families, and the loss devastated us. It made us scared we might never get to be parents, and the grief stayed with us in ways that are hard to explain. Not long after, we got engaged. Veronica thought we were just taking a trip to Asheville, NC to look experience Fall and take Christmas pictures with Tex, but I had a plan. On a path in the woods, I got down on one knee, got extremely nervous, and instead of asking her, I told her she was going to marry me. She laughed and said, “Are you going to ask me?” So, I did it correctly the 2nd time—and she said yes! We came home excited to plan a wedding… and then 2 days later, Veronica called me with news that I never thought I’d hear again: we were pregnant again! That is baby Oliver. We are so excited to share this day with him, with our Tex Baby, and with all the people we love. This is our story—messy, real, emotional, and full of growth. It’s been a hard road, but we’re here now: together, in love, and building the family we’ve always dreamed of. Thank you for being here with us and celebrating this day. - Gavin