...The best is yet to be

Vanessa: In the summer of 2019 Ryan was flying helicopters from time to time as an HSM-40 AirWolf based out of NS Mayport and I was working as a social worker in geriatric medicine. All things were going as they normally do when, on August 20th, we mutually swiped right and matched on Bumble, becoming new bees in each other's hives. I don't quite remember what his profile said or how I introduced myself but I do recall the cute cardigan he was wearing in his main photo and getting excited at the thought that this man from Oklahoma might have a sweet little flyover-states accent. Fast forward to a week later, we had made plans to meet for Taco Tuesday in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Jacksonville. A storm to end all Florida summer storms had ensued and was in full swing when I arrived 45 minutes after our scheduled meeting time (it was of course, the storm's fault). In hindsight, it's hard to say if it was the rainfall or the second batch of tacos that brought us luck but next thing I knew we were halfway into our first date and I was smitten and smiling at the man in the Jurassic Park t-shirt. Ryan: I never thought my love of Mexican food would eventually lead me to the love of my life, but here we are... I can tell you that I am forever grateful that I wanted tacos so much that I waited 45 minutes for Vanessa to finally show up (thanks mid afternoon Florida thunderstorm). From that taco date, to ice skating, to picnics, and finally to our favorite restaurants, we journeyed so far in such a small time and I can't wait to continue that as a family!

Vanessa: It was September 29th, following a friend's pool party, when Ryan asked me to be his girlfriend. We tried our best to create memories over the months that followed all while knowing that the inevitable was coming. It had been just a short sweet blur when February rolled around and it was time to say farewell. We exchanged "I love you" for the first time as he sat in his car just moments before driving away and I stood and watched as his car disappeared around the bend. The trying time that came next was unexpected for us both and a slew of emotions crept in during those long months apart. Ryan's patience, kindness and strength carried us through the pandemic season, as we were forced to wait, with no reunification in sight. We began praying together each day as part of our nightly ritual and handed the future of our relationship over to God's will. In my heart I knew that Ryan was special and hoped that he would be the one for me, the one I'd get to keep. Six months after parting ways Ryan was granted a visit to Jacksonville! I anxiously waited for his car to pull up to the same driveway where we had said goodbye and with a corny hand-drawn "Welcome Back Sweet Bear" sign in tow, I blew my party horn and jumped for joy when I saw him! We had made it through our first "deployment" and I had a feeling that he would be the one for me, the one I'd get to keep. Ryan: Shortly after we started dating I had received orders that I would be moving to Millington, TN early the next calendar year. The next 5 months were filled with doing everything a 'Floridian Couple' could do in the Jacksonville area, from hikes to sno cones, ice cream and the beach. We knew time would go by faster than we ever wanted but we couldn't have known the impact a pandemic would have on our relationship. I tend to think a relationship that can survive seeing each other two times in person in a year can survive anything, but little did I know how much ours would not only survive, but thrive.

Vanessa: I enjoy contemplating when might've been the moment that Ryan decided we would be married; I treasure that ephemeral instance, the life-defining significance it holds and how that conviction played out over a holiday trip to Hawaii. It was the 22nd of November, 2020 and we were reunited for only the second time in an entire pandemic year. We celebrated mass virtually from the hotel, I partook in a loco moco and we went for a walk. I couldn't get enough of the sights along the water's edge in Waikiki and wasn't thinking of much else when Ryan suggested taking an alternate route back to our lodging site. Ryan's dad stopped at a picnic table mid-stroll to snap a photo of us and when I went to lean into Ryan for the photo... he wasn't there. He was on the ground, hands extended, saying some words I couldn't quite make out. I can reminisce most vividly on the flurry of joy that came over me. Everything around me was spinning oh so fast! I hugged and kissed Ryan and sat down at the picnic table, at this time finally catching a glimpse of the ring that Ryan had so thoughtfully chosen and my heart could only smile. I later asked Ryan if I had even said "Yes"... Regardless it seemed like he knew the answer as much as I knew the question; we both just knew. Ryan: Being unable to get out to stores due to COVID restrictions, I knew getting the perfect ring was going to be very difficult. Thankfully my cousin Mel and Aunt Karen were there to Facetime me from the store and were able to secure an engagement ring. But I knew from the moment I had to leave Jacksonville for Memphis and we said we loved each other for the first time that she was the special one. From that moment on, the special bond we have has only grown and to say I am lucky to spend the rest of my life with her is an understatement.

Vanessa: The course of our relationship has been marked with plenty of separation, but with that has come immense growth! We learned to relate to one another in ways that we hope will continue to propel us and lead us into our future. With preparations underway to join our lives together, most days we just try to remember to take a breath and relish in the small moments that make it all come together. We've loved exploring the Memphis area and taking in all the sights, sounds and tastes of Blues City. Nole enjoys his walks along the river and is quite obsessed with his new "dog dad". The hustle and bustle of morning schedules and evening routines will one day be a memory, so I cherish these instances, even watching as Ryan plays video games or watches hockey while I prepare dinner. On the weekends we attend church and hike trails, hit the local eateries, relax and dive into shows or try new recipes. The mundane is made much more lovely when shared with someone you love. We hope that our wedding will be both the culmination of what we have built so far and the beginning of all that is yet to be. As for me, I hope our life together is plagued with prayerfulness, appreciation, intentionality and cherishing of one another. Hopefully it includes some kids, many dogs, family gatherings, plenty of trips, service to others and a beautiful life well spent. Ryan: As we anxiously await the next duty station the Navy will send us, we are doing our best to adjust to a life of wedding planning and also juggle experiencing the sights and sounds of establishments and attractions we have missed out on over the past 15 months due to COVID. Vanessa and I have settled into our jobs and are enjoying every minute of them, Vanessa as a school social worker and myself as the Flag Aide to Commander, Navy Personnel Command. We couldn't be more excited for our life together and can't wait to see everyone this winter for the wedding!