(According to Sam) We met as classmates at the Naval Academy: Our paths crossed during our first few years there through airport run-ins and mutual friends. During this time, we remained awkward acquaintances. In our firstie year, we had Boats class together (along with our good friend Allyson, who would turn out to be a main character in our story). We got to know each other as lab partners, but nothing more than discussions of "buoyancy" and "righting arm" ensued. Tyler left to Japan for his first tour, and I took off for Spain. We went about our separate lives for those two years, and after finishing our first tours, we found each other in the dimly lit COVE ship driving simulators in Newport, Rhode Island. Nothing more than a "oh hey" was exchanged during these few months. Fast forward to San Diego, where Tyler was stationed for his second tour and I was temporarily stationed for training. Allyson convinced Tyler to shoot his shot, and Tyler slid into my DM's to ask me out to coffee. I told him that I was moving to Mississippi on that same day. Our love story was once again postponed by the Navy. I visited San Diego for a week when I lived in Mississippi, during which time we went on our first date for coffee, a walk on the Ocean Beach pier, and a beach bonfire. I returned to Mississipi to find a letter from Tyler in my mailbox. I think I knew pretty quickly Tyler would be someone very special in my life. We fell in love somewhere along that year, sharing dozens of letters and plenty of Mike's burritos. --- (According to Tyler) Like all good Hallmark movies, ours starts at the Baltimore airport, our first Christmas break from the Naval Academy. We met in the airport after all flights out were canceled. I remember her walking along in her uniform with her friend and stopping to talk. I couldn’t remember what was said, but I distinctly remember her infectious smile. I remember her name was Sam Thomas thanks to the CAC she dropped that the airport janitor showed me asking if I knew this person. I told them we just met and she went in another direction. Our paths crossed many times from then on, and I repeatedly teased her maid of honor (Allyson Franchi), if Sam was available. After thoroughly beating the joke into the ground, Allyson told me she was single, but I could only muster a “hey how are you?” for years to come. Only after another gentle push from Allyson, I finally mustered up the courage to ask her out. Timing was never my strong suit, and I had to wait for us to be in the same location for our first date to come to fruition. In true military fashion, I used my reconnaissance skills to map out our first date in hopes of not absolutely ruining a chance of getting to know Sam, and highlight the beauty of a beachside fire and burrito. We kept in touch through letters, pictures I took of my weekend adventures, and music we were listening to at the time. She was what was always missing in my photos, and also what was missing in my life. We’ve tumbled down the dunes of the Mojave Desert and clinked glasses in Tuscany. I’m a firm believer that the people come into your life when you’re ready for them, and once Sam was in mine, I knew I couldn’t do without her.