08.01.2024

It was a typical weekday afternoon in the midst of summer 2022. Like usual, Reena hopped into her car mustering the strength for her upcoming traffic packed drive to the hospital. It was time for yet another night shift. *DING* goes her car with a low gas notification. Naturally Reena would've filled up the morning before, but something told her that sounded like a later problem. She rushed over to the San Luis Rey Gate, all while fumbling for her wallet. "Where the hell is my ID!?," she mumbled to herself. She managed to fish out the ID with just seconds to spare- a skill she'd mastered after years of being a military brat. Anxiously she rolled up to the gate, ID grasped in her left hand. She quickly recollected herself, forcing herself to relax. She inched closer; gingerly stepping on her break. She was greeted with a stern face- one she'd never seen before, but noted the striking color of blue in his eyes. Standing at her car window was a man who's stoicism was enough to make her heart stop ever so briefly. She handed him her ID, smiling she chimed, "Hi there!" He inherently glared at her, took a pause and said, "Have a nice day...," all while ushering her through. She went on about her day like usual. I mean... She'd never see him or his twinkling blue eyes ever again anyways. Or so she thought. Turns out she'd stare into those eyes for the rest of her life, finding comfort beyond their ocean blue hues. The face that was once so stern, softened into what looks and feels like home. She never would've guessed it'd be him. Never knew that he'd deploy and show her the true definition of, "Love knows no boundaries." And that during those six months in Darwin, Australia he had a plan- to make it back to Reena, get down on one knee and ask her to be his forever on his 27th birthday. Who would've thought that they'd travel to Southeast Asia together and do everything they could've ever dreamed of? Or that they'd buy their first property together, and take Ares the Rottweiler on daily walks? She had no clue. She always prayed he'd find her, and so he did. Thus the Marine Cop from New Jersey fell for the Navy Nurse from California and the rest was history!