It all started at a birthday party.

During the spring of my junior year at WCU I decided to take up CrossFit to help train myself for the military. I ended up making several friends at the gym. Summer came, and I returned home to Mills River. I ended up being invited to my friend Haley’s birthday party at Innovation Brewing in Sylva. I attended to socialize, and this is the first time I formally met Tiff.

I remember instantly taking a liking to her. Her personality was warm and inviting. She seemed to be friends with everyone. After Innovation, the festivities moved to her house. Little did I know that I was first laying eyes on my home. The party ended and I said my goodbyes, and I went back home to Mills River. Tiff, however, never left my mind.

The time came for me to return to Cullowhee for my final year at Western. I returned to the gym and became a part of a community of lifelong friends. Eventually, Tiff invited me to go to a 3 Doors Down concert with her in Cherokee. We met for dinner at Haywood Smokehouse and then went and saw the concert. It was then that I knew that the chemistry between us was undeniable. We hit it off immediately. This was the first of many adventures we had together.

As our relationship grew, we did many things together. Concerts and CrossFit competitions became our favorite. By the spring semester we were settled into our new relationship. Although we had only known each other for a few months, it felt like we had known each other for years. We meshed well on every level.

Eventually, summer rolled around and I was offered a job at Bear Lake Reserve in Tuckasegee. To work there, I would need a place to stay in Sylva. I moved in with Tiff, and our relationship became even stronger than before. Our adventures continued, going to Key West, Las Vegas, and others. I was the happiest I had ever been. I even had 3 new adopted children! Well, extremely large, furry children, but children nonetheless.

Summer eventually became fall and my time in North Carolina was growing short. Then, the day finally came. December 5th, 2017 was one of the hardest days of my life. I left my home on the way to Great Lakes, IL for recruit training. It was hard, but the letters from home kept me going. Let me tell you, only being able to talk to your family through letters and a 15-minute phone call will test your will. However, I graduated boot camp and I felt our bond was stronger than ever.

During my time in Great Lakes after boot camp, we had more adventures whenever Tiff could make the trip up. We soon both fell in love with Milwaukee. It was a great town with great food and drink, and we promised each other that we would go back.

The second time we went to Milwaukee, I knew it was going to be a special place for us for the rest of our lives. I asked Tiff to marry me on the riverside at sunset. It was the beginning of the rest of our lives together. I knew there would be challenges and struggles, but I wanted to face them all with her by my side.

Now, as my time in school comes to an end and we get ready for our first move, we find ourselves on the cusp of our greatest adventure yet. Although we will be living in Nevada for a few years, our home will always be in our little cottage on the mountain, and we will return one day, together.

Tiff, you are the love of my life. I cannot wait to start our new life together.

T&L

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception