Our journey began on the island of Okinawa, Japan. Drew was already stationed there as a Combat Engineer with the Marine Corps, and I arrived eight months later to begin my role as a Head Swim Coach. Fate didn’t waste any time bringing us together—we met on my very first night on the island. What started with Drew showing me the ropes quickly turned into something more. For the next two months, we spent nearly every spare moment exploring Okinawa together. Beach drives, hidden local spots, and island adventures soon became the start of a much bigger journey. Before long, our travels stretched far beyond the island. Together, we wandered through the endless red gates of the Senbon Torii in Kyoto, explored ancient temples in Thailand, backpacked through Vietnam, and even hiked to the summit of Mount Fuji. Each new destination became another chapter in our growing story. Our most magical chapter unfolded during our final big trip in Asia—a visit to Bali, Indonesia. On a quiet beach in Amed, inside a secluded cave by the ocean, Drew asked me to marry him. The evening felt like a dream: a traditional Indonesian fire dance, slow dancing around a bonfire, and a romantic dinner in the cave as we celebrated our engagement. Soon after, we returned to the United States and made our home in Dallas. Our adventures look a little different now, but the spirit of curiosity and joy that first brought us together in Okinawa continues to shape our life. We are so excited to celebrate the next chapter of our story surrounded by family and friends in Palestine, Texas.