Our story began in the summer of 2022 when Jack returned to Norfolk, VA from many months at sea working as a third mate. As I entered my first semester of nursing school at Old Dominion University, we were in the right place at the right time. We met at a local country bar where we hit it off and spent the night swing dancing and making pitiful attempts at jumping in with the experienced line dancers. We still frequent The Banque and have improved greatly by the way.

Several weeks passed, and we were immediately inseparable as if we had known each other our whole lives. Jack's merchant mariner commitments took him back to sea shortly after we met, and the responsibilities of nursing school quickly came to the forefront of my life. While stationed in Boston, MA during a period of drydock, I was able to fly to Jack many weekends. We explored a city that is now one of the most memorable places for us; picking right up where we left off.

By the winter of 2022, we had made our relationship official and had become extremely close with each other's families and friends. We continued to treasure the moments we shared together wherever Jack's job allowed. In the summer of 2023 amidst a full course load, I hopped on a plane and met Jack again...this time in Panama! We travelled the small village where Jack's boat was docked and made memories that will last a lifetime.

Jack returned to the United States the following fall where we finally fell into a comfortable rhythm of life fishing on the Shore, attending concerts at the Norva, and of course swing dancing at The Banque.

We rang in the new year of 2024 together in the sweet town of St. Pete Beach, FL where I fell in love with the rest of his family. Fast forward through several months of exams and night shift clinicals, we were able to celebrate my graduation from the ODU School of Nursing together. Jack was there for the good and bad for all five semesters!

Jack has come to love the Eastern Shore, and he could not think of a better place to get on one knee. On June 2, 2024 he popped the question on Cape Charles Beach! We now reside in the East Beach area of Norfolk where I am working as a neonatal intensive care registered nurse and Jack will continue to navigate on marine vessels.

We cannot wait to celebrate our love with our closest friends and family next year!