Micah and Jill's story began on a sidewalk, standing next to the ambulances they would spend the next 12+ hours on. When they met, Jill walked in to Micah's usual banter with his close friends. Jill was intrigued by his witty sense of humor and charming good looks. Micah was awed by Jill's radiant eyes and her stride that exuded pure confidence. A deeper connection started when they discovered their mutual interests in music, their love of dogs, the strive for adventure and the desire for a strong family-centered life. On that night, began the story that has lead us to where we are today.

For two people who hate keeping secrets, they love to surprise one another. Once, Jill was working an overtime shift, but Micah surprised her in between calls at Dunkin Donuts (in a less than desirable part of town). He surprised her with her favorite candy, Sour Patch Kids and Reese's Cups. She closed her eyes, and held out her hands, and was filled with butterflies when she found his lips meeting hers for their first kiss. Jill is always fascinated by Micah's love for the Roman Empire, and surprised him with a pugio for his birthday, which now hangs in their (very) Roman aesthetic apartment.

Jill and Micah found their first love in a fluffy Husky at the Humane Society. When they went to visit, the husky immediately leapt onto Jill and lathered her with kisses. It could be a story about how two people chose a dog; but it's truly a story of a dog who found his people. Little did they know, Atka was the sassiest husky of them all. Filling his owners with angst after his 5th gear runaway sprints around the apartment complex, eating entire sticks of butter, and half of onion, he's never left Jill and Micah unentertained. To Atka's surprise, after a fun-filled morning at Waggin' at the Waterpark, he mentally aged 5 years when a 2 month old German Shephard puppy entered their lives. This second dog in Micah and Jill's story was the loudest of the litter. Why they chose the loudest is still unsolved to this day. Verus was initially terrified of his older brother, but quickly learned his razor sharp puppy teeth could be used for evil. Quickly, Atka and Verus became best friends, albeit Atka sometimes wishes he was still an only child. With Verus in their lives, no one is left without snuggles or kisses. Many of Jill and Micah's favorite adventures include Atka and Verus, but some of the most truly special ones are just the two of them.

One of Jill's favorite memories of their time together was a hiking trip in the Fall, at Big Rock. It was Jill's first time hiking there, and Micah subtly warned about the inclined trail that he and his brother-in-law previously forged. With packs stuffed with the essentials (including a cold 4-pack of Edmund's Oast to enjoy at the summit), they began the trek to the top. The hike itself wasn't long in distance, but brutal on Jill's calves. Micah conveniently failed to communicate the sheer steepness of the path that was the first leg of the hike. Once at the summit, and sitting atop Big Rock, Jill's breath was taken away. Not from the physical exertion it took to get there, but the ultimate beauty that was the view. In that moment, with the love of her life next to her, Jill felt entirely at peace. Through all the hikes they've done together, Big Rock is still her favorite place to hike for this memory; for it embodies one of Jills and Micah's favorite quotes: "ad aspera per astra" meaning "through hardships, to the stars."

In a funny contrast to Jill's favorite memory, is Micah's favorite story of his ultimate struggle on lake Keowee. It began with a romantic idea to celebrate Jill with a weekend cabin getaway and an "easy" canoe ride on the lake. The cabin was nice enough, quaint, with a lovely firepit to enjoy every night with a glass of bourbon and wine. The following day they rented a canoe to brave the waters of lake Keowee, without the foresight to check the weather before setting off. If that wasn't bad enough, the canoe itself was made from dense sheet metal and the oars of driftwood. The voyage went well at first... calm waters, beautiful clouds, with laughter of children heard in the distance. After some time, dark clouds were spotted on the horizon. There, beginning to get pelted with rain, Jill and Micah decided to make for the safety of shore. Alas, they could not row fast enough. Jill's arms were burning from the rowing, and her bladder rapidly filling. She could no longer assist Micah in the fervent rowing to shore. It was then that Micah took oars in each hand, and rowed with the intensity of sailor's of old. Jill was moral support, while Micah's back burned as they coasted into the ramp and found shelter. (If you couldn't tell, this is a bit embellished, but what's a story from a Marine without a little exaggeration). They haven't gone canoeing since.

Through all the adventures, what really matters is the love they share, the stories unending, and the joys everlasting. To Jill, Micah is a constant source of laughter and joy. He teaches her about history, philosophy, music, and what it means to be loved from the bottom of someone's heart. He's pushed her, in the best of ways, to be the best version of herself and to feel like she's the most beautiful woman in the room. To Micah, Jill is the ultimate answer to the questions "why" and "how". The answer, respectively, is for you, and by any means. The light of her love and brilliance is a lighthouse to navigate through the stormiest of seas. Her radiance parts the seas and creates a clear path home.

Now let's get married! We're ecstatic to add this next adventure to the books, and for all the stories that will come from our time in Punta Cana with those we love most.