So here (in 500 words or less) is my tale of crazy love and romance. Enjoy!
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This is the story of a sailor and a soldier; of three continents, five time zones, thousands of long-distance phone calls, and two people madly in love through it all.
It started at a West Point student conference. He was a cadet from Los Angeles; she was a student from a liberal arts school in Tennessee (and was soon to be a Naval Officer Candidate). They shared a week of intellectual discussion and interesting conversation, and parted friends.
He graduated with honors and started training. He came to visit her at college after a week of sleeping in his tank in the snow. They shared a wonderful weekend, and their friendship deepened as their respect for each other grew. “You should come visit me while I’m stationed in Germany,” he said. “Don’t make that offer lightly,” she said, “I’ll take you up on it.” And a year later, she did.
They shared a magical weekend of travel and fun. But she was headed for Officer Candidate School, and he was headed for Iraq. “I know it’s crazy,” he said, “but would you consider dating me?” “Just don’t break my heart,” she said.
Off she went to face sand-pits, push-ups, and Marine Corps Drill Instructors. She earned her commission, then made her first trip to California to meet his family. They shared a delightful week with family. Then it was off to Iraq for the handsome soldier. She cried in front of his parents, then again at the airport. “Oh goodness, I can’t cry—I’m a Naval Officer!” she said. “I’m glad you’re going to miss me,” he said.
She headed out to San Diego, to her first job onboard an aircraft carrier. They traded emails daily, sometimes more than one. She lived for her sailors and his phone calls—even the ones that came in the middle of the night. He came home on R&R with a diamond ring in his pocket. “Will you marry me?” he asked. “Of course!!!” she said, ecstatic.
That settled it—they would be husband and wife. But when? He had six months left overseas, and she herself was deploying just weeks after he was to return. Getting orders to be together for their next duty station would be tricky, and that piece of paper certifying their marriage was important. “Well,” she said, “there’s always Vegas.” “Why don’t we just get the paperwork done at the courthouse here in L.A., and have our wedding after the deployments” he suggested. And so they did.
They spent pre- (for her) and post- (for him) deployment leave together in Italy, then port calls together in Singapore and Dubai. Her deployment was extended—right up to the week of their wedding. But she made it home to her family and fiancé just in time for the wedding of their dreams. And finally, a few months and two PCS moves later, they were sharing happily ever after in South Korea—living in the same time zone for the first time.
This is a beautiful story, Jeananne.
ReplyDeleteI will absolutely give you the first place prize. Live happily ever after! We love you.