Despite our mutual friends and our barracks’ close proximity at West Point (and apparently an English class we shared that I don’t recall), Jack and I only got to know each other better during Field Artillery BOLC in the land of my beloved 405 area code— Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Thanks to a mandatory Saturday tasking, we spent six hours chatting and laughing as he explained to me what a triple-20 was and showed me the funniest dart championship walk-outs. I had so much fun, I almost forgot I was sitting in the on-post bowling alley to make sure the junior soldiers didn’t start a drunken brawl (it would’ve been a good day to do it-I was quite distracted!). A few months later, a night spent sitting next to each other at Scooters honkytonk bar led to a weeks-long Instagram conversation which led to a first date at Strawberry Alley on my very first day living at Fort Campbell.

My five older sisters and I are blessed with some very strong Irish genes, so we have inherited a hodgepodge of dietary restrictions (our ancestors are making sure we understand the importance of the potato). A few days after our first date, Jack brought me to a completely gluten-free fancy restaurant in Nashville after I mentioned it only once or twice. This immediately won my sisters over (they get it), and their enthusiastic approval made me excited about this guy putting so much effort and intention into time we spent together. Jack has never stopped putting in effort, and his endless love and energy put me to shame by comparison!

We can’t wait to get married, but we can’t wait to do it with all of you by our sides! We are truly so grateful for all of our amazing family and friends, thank you for the role you play in our lives and our journey.