Robert has always been a man of many talents, with a knack for anything - from playing pitches on the guitar, to pitching a baseball. He truly hit his stride when he entered Linganore High School, when he joined JROTC. His journey saw him ascend the ranks, eventually becoming the commanding officer in his senior year. Emily got bit by the theatre bug at age 4, and spent every spare moment from then on fully focused on pursuing performance. In fact, her theatrical ambitions were the reason she ended up at the same school as Robert: By joining JROTC, Emily could attend Linganore, which was out-of-district for her, to pursue theatre. What neither kid knew was that this casual crossing of paths would turn into more much later. Seven years later, after attending separate universities and navigating different states and majors, their paths converged in the same city, where they both moved for work. Robert posted a picture at a local Norfolk spot, which Emily had visited a few hours earlier. Emily happened to see the post as she was cruising social media, and reached out to tell Robert about the coincidence. After some friendly chat, Robert suggested grabbing dinner together to formally catch up. Robert and Emily met up at Grace O’Malley’s Pub to catch up. The duo chatted, laughed, and reflected on the last 7 years. Robert walked Emily to her car when the night was over, and Emily figured that was that, but she couldn't have been more wrong: The ensuing months unfolded like a romantic comedy of errors, filled with missteps and missed connections. From lost contact information while Robert was on the other side of the world, to the challenges of a long-distance relationship, Robert and Emily had seen different places and people, but it was clear that something special lingered between them. Despite the hurdles, an undeniable attraction persisted, and on April 20th, 2021, they officially began their remote romance. The first 8 months were difficult. The couple could usually manage one daily letter to each other, combatting an unstable internet connection, strict communication monitoring (thank you, Navy), and Robert’s 20-hour workdays. The bitterness of the distance was finally made sweet when Robert’s ship returned home. The couple reunited at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and shared their first kiss, followed by their official first date as a couple, at the Yorktown Burger King. (Mrs. Milburn, if you’re reading this, you have to understand that it was his only option, and Emily would have been happy to split a PB & J with him if it meant they could finally sit together and talk in person.) Since that memorable day, Robert and Emily's bond has deepened, overcoming distance and dozens of other challenges. They now have a home and a furry, four-legged son together. The couple looks kindly at the future for their next adventure, but for now, they are so excited to celebrate their love with friends and family, grateful for the winding journey that brought them to this moment.