Our story began one beautiful fall day in Arlington, Texas, 2021. I was headed down from Oklahoma with my former college teammates to watch the Air Force Falcons take on the “other guys” from a miserable place called West Point. Danielle was flying in from Kansas with Olivia Morgan, her good friend from nursing school to watch the game. Olivia just so happens to be the sister of Price, a teammate of mine from college and also a classmate in pilot training at the time. The day started with an awesome reunion of friends and family as we tailgated before the game. I will never forget the moment Danielle walked up, looking gorgeous as ever, introducing herself to everyone and getting acclimated to the high energy of the group. Even though she certainly caught my eye, no real conversation took place between myself and Danielle prior to kickoff. We sat in different parts of the stadium and didn't get to talk until after the game. As we all gathered at the stadium bar, Texas Live, we finally met. I don't know if I was playing hard to get or just flat out nervous, but yes, Danielle had to break the ice. I don't know how long I talked to her, but I was immediately hooked. I could tell she was a very special girl and knowing that I potentially could've never connected with her would've been the biggest fumble of my life, which I didn't know could happen after the football years were over!

Long story short, we kept in touch after that weekend. I went back to OK to continue pilot training and she was back in KS to finish nursing school. She must've really liked me to make that first 275 mile drive to the middle of nowhere Oklahoma to visit me. And the rest was history, it didn't take long for me to fall in love with a girl with the biggest heart, most beautiful smile, and a willingness to make a leap of faith to give me a chance. She showed me a level of sacrifice to make that trip time and time again that I had never experienced before in a relationship and I knew she was the one. That has been the theme song of our relationship, sacrifice, and doing whatever we can to grow close, despite the distance.

Danielle took a nursing job in Kansas and I continued my training in Arizona, and she would fly out whenever she had time off from her busy work schedule. As time went on and saved airline miles dwindled away, I knew I wanted to marry this girl, and shopping for a ring was the most sure of anything I have ever done (with the help of secretly stalking her saved rings on Pinterest). On January 21st, 2023 in Sedona, Arizona, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.

We have been looking forward to this day so eagerly, and we cannot wait to share it with y'all. Thank you to all the friends and family who have supported us as our bond has grown so close, we are blessed to have you for this wedding day, and everyday. God, Family, and Air Force football got us here, see you on the big day!

Cheers,

Mike