Romance first began through a friend showing a picture, which peaked an interest but not without some apprehensions. However, it would have been the biggest mistake if never pursued. What began as Facebook messages two weeks later turned into running to my sister's room exclaiming how much I like him and how it was not supposed to go that way, but love had different plans. The very next day I gave him my number and two hearts grew much stronger. Now, distance has always been lurking around from the very beginning and stubbornly always seemed to pull us apart, but two months into our relationship we met, locked eyes, and after that first kiss I knew he would be the man I would spend the rest of my life with. As much as every bone in my body wanted me to tell him how much I loved him (and yes he knew and was sly in trying to get it out of me) I waited as long as I could in fear of scaring him away. Though I waited, the words eventually slipped out on their own and his followed the day he boarded his flight to Afghanistan. Distance, as I mentioned, has been our enemy but our greatest accomplishment in proving what love can conquer, the trust and honesty two people can share, and the commitment to reunite time and time again. From one country to another we surpass distance year after year. Now Italy is holding him hostage for multiple years, but fate will bring us together on our wedding day this December 18, 2016, as we become husband and wife to show no obstacle is great enough to defeat love.