Laura and I first met in 2010 at a barbecue hosted by the Ruiz family. She had just moved to St. Mary's County from Pennsylvania a few months prior after her father got a job at NAS Patuxent River. She was starting her sophomore year at Leonardtown High School, and made the indoor track team in the winter. Since we were both sprinters for LHS, we inevitably got to know each other a lot better as time went on. It wasn't until March 3rd, 2012, however, that we started dating. I took her to see "The Vow" (you know, so I could butter her up before I asked her out) and BAM! We were officially an item.

A couple months later, I went to I-Day and became a part of the great class of 2016 (or 2010+6 as my brother Taylor puts it). Laura wrote me multiple letters every day during Plebe Summer, to the point where my detailers started poking fun at me. Nonetheless, I made it out alive and didn't get Dear John'd in the process which was a big success.

The next four years went by in the blink of an eye; before I knew it I was thinking about asking this beautiful, amazing girl to marry me. After stalking Laura's Pinterest and with the help of some friends, I picked out a diamond ring and planned out the proposal. I proposed during Spring Break when we were in San Diego visiting my brother and his wife, trying desperately not to spill the beans before I did it. I took Laura to Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma as the sun was setting over the Pacific, truly a beautiful sight to behold. I prefaced it with a big spiel about our relationship and how much I loved her, and then proceeded to get down on one knee. She squeaked out a "yes" after I popped the question, and gave me a big bear hug. We were engaged.

So that takes us up pretty much to the present day. Laura and I are so excited to plan the wedding and finally tie the knot after being in love for so long. We couldn't have made it this far without God as well as the love and support from our respective family and friends. Here's to a great wedding and a lasting marriage. Till death do us part.

-Reid