Meeting Katie Kostecka (soon to be Katie Sturgeon) to this day is one of the greatest surprises of my life. I returned from a deployment in the UAE last year and within a week of being back, the Lord blessed me with the most wonderful surprise. That surprise was Kate. Me and Kate, in my eyes, instantly had a connection I had never felt before. To be honest with you, I did not know a connection like this was possible.

Over the course of the next few months, Katie and myself grew to know each other in many ways. I learned her favorite music (I mean it is obvious that she is a Swiftie), I learned her favorite hobbies (plants and books are in my future). I also learned how compassionate and loving my life partner is. Katie has a way of taking charge, being the forefront of whatever project she has set her mind to. With me however, we have equally worked as a team. Something I think will greatly benefit us as a couple.

I look at myself as the luckiest man in the world. Not only for this wonderful woman that has made her way into my life, but also for the family and friends that I now get to call my own.

On our first date, Hunter and I walked up and down Pismo Beach for about three hours. The first few times we passed the parking lot, he asked if I would like to take another lap. After a while, he stopped asking and we kept walking and walking and walking. It felt like I blinked and we were back on the beach with him on one knee.

Our relationship has been so steady and so calm. Hunter makes me feel valued, secure, and cherished. Meeting him was unexpected and our love and care for each other grew quickly.

On one of our first few dates, I had planned to ask Hunter all of the deep scary questions about values, plans, and expectations. What I didn't expect was for him to start the conversation before I even had the chance, and for us to agree on each and every important point. We knew early on just how aligned we were, and it was evident that we were both taking this seriously.

Hunter is unwaveringly reliable, he means what he says, and he is a true friend. Watching him care for the people in his life made me fall in love with him, and being able to experience this level of care each and every day is the biggest blessing of my life.