10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2...I DO!

Like many West Point romances, Daine and Haley’s story begins at Camp Buckner the summer after their Plebe (freshman) year. As Daine tells it, "Haley came walking out the woods, holding a rifle in her hand, and I knew she was the one." Haley, on the other hand, remembers it differently... "I hadn't showered in 5 days, my hair was slicked back with grease, and of course, that would be the day I ran into the guy everyone had a crush on." Following a successful first date at the Camp Illumination Summer Dance, Haley and Daine officially started dating in September 2017. Daine and Haley supported each other through four years of trials and tribulations at West Point. Their time at their Rockbound Highland Home was marked by dinners in the mess hall, walks on ‘Flirty Walk’, short catch-ups before evening study period, and weekend trips to New York City. Firstie (senior) year was particularly challenging, with Daine serving as the First Captain and Haley balancing a military leadership role with her duties as the track team captain. Eventually, Daine was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship to study in England and Haley accepted the Schwarzman Scholarship to study in China. There was a period where they believed their paths were set to diverge. However, in the Spring of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Haley's scholarship to China was denied, and she opted to pursue a Rotary Scholarship to King’s College London. With Daine already set to study at the University of Oxford, it seemed like God had plan. At the end of the summer of 2020, Haley received unexpected news that her father, John, had passed away. This was the saddest and most challenging experience of her life, but Daine was there through it all. He supported Haley’s family as they grieved and helped facilitate Haley’s move to the UK only one month later. Upon arriving in the UK, Haley and Daine entered a 6-month long COVID lockdown. Alternating between their apartments in Oxford and London, they became familiar with their new life abroad. Through countless long walks on empty streets and canal paths, and during pre-reserved dinners dates in empty pubs, their relationship grew to new depths. Following the completion of her 12-month program, Haley departed the UK for Flight School at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. Daine remained at Oxford for a second year to complete his MBA, leaving the two an ocean apart. Luckily, the year flew by, and on May 7, 2022, Daine surprised (I mean REALLY surprised) Haley by flying from London to Atlanta and proposing to her at Piedmont Park in front of all their immediate family. Their engagement was short-lived, because on July 22, 2022, Daine and Haley went to the Coffee County Courthouse in Ft. Rucker, Alabama and officially tied the knot (A big thanks to Raymond from the Mobile Notary service for being their witness!). With their wedding certificate in hand, the Army officially recognized them as a ‘MACP Couple’ and determined they would be stationed together in Fayetteville, NC following the completion of Flight School and the Infantry Officer Basic Course. Since the Spring of 2023, Haley and Daine have lived together in Fayetteville in their first home, learning and loving each other more every day. --- In a text from John to Haley following Daine’s first visit to Missouri, John wrote, "I can't think of enough good things to say about Daine. Enjoy your time with each other and don't worry about what the future holds--that's on the good Lord's to-do list." Seven years later, they can confidently say John Watson and the good Lord got this one right.