When Emma and I first met, it was just another day to us and we didn’t think much of how things would turn out. I was shipping off to basic training and Emma was on her way to Australia. I told myself that I would take a break from relationships to focus on myself and my career because I didn’t know what to expect when joining the army, but what I knew was that it was the best time to be single, going off the explore the world, meet new people, and focus on myself; I’m so thankful I didn’t listen.
Emma and I didn’t have much contact within the first couple weeks due to the fact I only got my phone once a week and Emma didn’t think she would ever hear from me again. However once I got settled into my unit and received my mailing address, the first chance I got I sent a letter to her because we both knew that was going to be our best source for communication. Looking back we both are very thankful to have had that experience because with writing letters back in forth we found a way to open ourselves up in a way we thought wasn’t possible. After the first two or so weeks of sending letters back and forth, I knew Emma was the one, I’d fallen so madly in love especially after my birthday letter from her, when she told me she loved me for the first time. I still remember that moment fondly, my heart beating fast and skipping periodically, the huge smile I had on my face that lit up my entire bay that even my battle buddies knew what happened. Months gone by of writing back and forth and the occasional phone calls or FaceTimes on Sunday when I got my phone made my love for Emma grow more and more and the time was coming of my AIT graduation for when I would finally have the chance to meet her. Then the day had finally come, me and my troop marching and singing cadences to the museum where all our families and loved one waited, I spotted my parents instantly then I saw Emma. I was supposed to be serious while marching but I couldn’t help but break out a smile when seeing her, standing there next to my mother, I was filled with joy and couldn’t wait to meet her for the first time. When all was said and done we were released to my family, I went straight for Emma embracing her in such a fierce and passionate hug, I felt so in tune and at peace with the world, especially after surviving a gauntlet that was my 6 painful months of Basic Training and AIT. After the graduation we all stayed in Georgia for a few more days before heading home and they were some of the best days of my life. Celebrating the biggest achievement of my life, sharing that accomplishment with my family and the love my life were nothing but blissful.
As time went on Emma and I only got closer and closer, when we’re together and even when we’re apart, that past year hasn’t been easy with me living in Texas and Emma living in Ohio but we made it work. The moment I knew I wanted to marry Emma came when I took a trip back home to surprise everyone back in August, had a whole scheme planned around a party that my family was throwing and made sure Emma would be there for it. I was waiting in the kitchen when Emma had arrived and she walked right past me not realizing I was home, she turned and finally saw me and the look on her face when she instantly dropped her bag and ran to my arms made my heart sink. It hadn’t even been two months since we last saw each other but in that moment, her crying in my arms and that feeling of happiness I had made my thoughts so clear…I felt whole. I always thought I would end up alone and that I would never find my soulmate but I couldn’t be more wrong, that was the moment I realized I wanted to marry Emma. The hardest parts of Emma and I's journey have always been the goodbyes, since being long distance we’ve always been on borrowed time, because I have to go off and do the job I signed up for, however we’ve made it work the best we could, with me flying home any chance that I got and Emma flying down to Texas to see me. We’ve had ups and downs and bumps in the road but we know we can make it through anything as long as we have each other. People say long distance is impossible and that it will never work, but we are doing the Impossible, we’re making it work and I could not be more thankful and blessed to have found such an incredible, passionate, determined, kind and absolutely stunning young woman. A young woman I can’t wait to be married too, and start a life with.