2021, Parris Island in July, a Sergeant Gianna Paul comes to watch her younger brother proudly graduate from boot camp aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Meanwhile, that same day, a young and handsome Captain John Donovan marches at the helm of his series across the parade deck. These two Marines didn’t meet at that time, but the invisible string between them was tied. Just two short years later, their paths would cross again, but this time at the Mad Boar- a rural, small town, backwoods restaurant halfway between Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg. For one of them it was love at first sight, and for the other it was simply a free meal- you can take a guess as to who was who. Two weeks later, Gianna accompanied John on a spur of the moment trip to meet his entire family in New York- a true test of character. After successfully navigating the intricacies involved with the Donovan family, John knew that Gianna was the one for him. Distance is a constant between them, due to deployments and long training evolutions. However, as stated before, that invisible string was tied and will never be cut.

On January 20, 2024, John romantically proposed to Gianna in his Fayetteville apartment, took her ice skating, and then got her a new set of tires- knowing that vehicular safety on the roadway is the cornerstone to true love. The two are excited to start the rest of their lives surrounded by the ones they love most in Cocoa Beach, Florida. They look forward to a night of laughs, dancing, and drinks- with a heavy emphasis on the drinks, as is the Donovan way. So please, join us in the sunshine as we celebrate the beginning of an everlasting love.