 I lived in Youngstown, OH till I was in the 4th grade and then moved to the Reynolds School District, in Pennsylvania, where I graduated from Reynolds Jr. Sr. High. Immediately after graduation I started school at I.T.T. Technical Institute where I graduated with Honors in Graphic Design and achieved my Associates Degree. Fast forwarding a few years I ended up enlisting in the Army as an Information Technology Specialist. I ended up in Alaska as my first duty station, even though I hated it as a duty station because of all the restrictions, I wouldn't mind going back to explore during the summer months. During my time in Alaska it was indeed hard to come home with plane tickets costing close $1,500. I eventually saved up enough money to venture home and spend time with my family. On my next to last stop my mom informed me that she was going to be picking up my sister Alyssa and her friend Erica who was to spend Christmas with us this year. I was nervous of course because I did not know what to expect when it came to my sisters friend. After a long flight delay I eventually made it to Pittsburgh and my mom and my sister and her friend were waiting for me. The first my mom does when she sees me is turn to Erica and say "See I told you he was a cutie!" Yes I was embarrassed as anybody would be when their mom does say something like that in front of a complete stranger. I admit though when I first set eyes on her I was amazed by her beauty. I did not think Marines could look that good. I made many attempts to break the ice and get her to smile and it worked a few times. When we talked at a late night dinner I learned how much she and I had in common and those pesky butterflies started fluttering about my stomach. I was nervous about getting close to her because I told myself I would never date or settle down with somebody in the military because relationships tend to be ruined due to the spouse's military obligations. However, I have never been one to take even my own advice when it comes to matters of the heart and pursued it anyways. The evening before Christmas Eve brought the two of us closer together when we went to see The Hobbit and yes I fell for her even harder. The following day was Christmas and we had to part ways when my sister Angela and took Erica and Alyssa back to Maryland. It was depressing to see her go and not know when I would be able to see her again, so I decided make a plan with Alyssa for me to come back down to Maryland to see Erica again. You know I have never gone to the lengths of purchasing a rental car and driving seven hours to see somebody and I can tell you my family was surprised that I would do such a thing. While in Maryland I spent New Year's at Madame's Morgan with Erica as our first official date. I had a blast and so did she, every time I look at the photo of us outside I can see how happy I had made her that night. Fast forward some more and I continued to grow ever fonder of her so I decided to invite her up to Alaska to be my plus one at the Army Ball. I showed her around North Pole and Santa's Workshop where I learned more and more about her. In my own mind I knew I had to marry this girl, but I was not sure how to do it and when. Continue through the year some more and I PCS to Fort Sill, OK where I currently am at now. With Christmas once again peeking around the corner Erica asks me if I would like to spend the Holidays in California with her family. Of course I said sure and we made plans for me to venture out west to enjoy a California Christmas. I had purchased her ring and secretly stowed it away in my bag to surprise her with when I got to her place. Plans, however, change and my proposal plans changed several times while I was there. I wanted it to be perfect and I didn't want her to see it coming. The big day came when I had coffee with her grandmother and her great grandfather who had me engaged in an interesting conversation. After coffee, Erica and I ventured around Southern California with a stop in Oceanside and ate at Ruby's. Our next stop was to San Juan Capistrano and then home over the Ortega's. Erica told me she wanted me to see how Lake Elsinore looked at night from a place called the Lookout. I knew this was my only shot because I knew I wouldn't get another chance at getting her alone to propose. After trekking the winding roads of the Ortega's we finally reached the Lookout. She started pointing out houses that belonged to friends and family so I took this chance to slip back to my truck all quiet like and retrieve the ring from the back seat. I turned around and she was still talking about all the places she's been as a child so I tiptoed back to my spot behind her quietly and pretended like I never moved. So I pulled the ring from my hoodie pocket and as she turned around to tell me something about her town I opened the box and before I could ask her to marry me she said "yes". I have never been happier than I was at that very moment. Erica Rindal has so much in common with me and I am honored that she is to be my wife. |
 I was raised in Lake Elsinore, California; a small resort town known for big things. Elsinore was a great place to live, it practically has everything from the minor league baseball team; where I found my first love [mind you I was three] to the skydiving and dirt bike racing. Growing up with my older brother Bryan was a journey, and we have become good friends. I have had quite the adventure myself. I’ve dreamt of becoming a Marine since I was nine, admiring such a man as my grandfather. After graduating high school; I joined the United States Marine Corps as a communications specialist. For the past four years I’ve been traveling around the world, meeting the most wonderful people and I couldn’t be happier. None of this would be possible without my fantastic mother and wonderful grandparents. My first duty station was Okinawa, a small island south of Japan. There I found myself in a whole new experience; all new friends, first time being out of the states. I found a home away from home, with the most amazing family. The times I spend in Southern Asia; from the Temples and Tarmacs of Thailand to the Villas and Typhoons of the Philippines, was a grand exploration. When my time was up on that small island, I was soon sent across the pond to the East Coast. This was quite the change for a California girl, being stationed in Maryland. Just so happened I befriend two girls, Alyssa and Sara and unknowingly my life was about to change for the best Having no family on the east coast, Alyssa would bring me up to Pennsylvania to enjoy the holidays with her own family. I’ve been able to connect with practically anyone; I soon started making more friends throughout Maryland. Then it happened; we made a pack, the deal was that we would go to California for a Sunny Thanksgiving with my own family and that I would come to her home for Christmas. God works in mysterious ways; I had no idea that this silly deal would turn into an unexpected adventure. When we came up to Pennsylvania once more to visit her family for a [96s] a four day weekend, but this time was different. The whole family went to pick up their brother; Daniel from the Pittsburgh Airport, who hadn’t be home for quite some time. To this day I still don’t know how we “clicked” by the stories I’ve heard from his sisters, it seemed like we wouldn’t get along at all, but the more I talked to him. A bigger connection developed. Our first “accidental” date was The Hobbit, the eve of Christmas Eve. Even if the weekend was short it was memorable, that next day we sat watching movies and continued to talk, more and more we found out that we were so alike. There was just “something” about him, he made me smile. We ended going back to Maryland for work. New Years’ Eve came around, Daniel drove over seven hours to Maryland to spend the New Year in Washington DC with myself [I thought it was a bit crazy] I was happy but not many people would do that for someone they barely knew. [He even stayed for my promotion to Corporal!] To fast forward: Dating long distance, him being in Alaska, myself moving from Maryland back to California, strangely strengthened our relationship and we grew fond of each other day by day. He ended up asking me if I would do him the honor of being his date to the Army Ball in Alaska. To fast forward once more, He came down for Christmas to what I thought was to introduce himself to my family. I planned a wonderful trip to show off my home state, the morning was spend with my grandmother and great grandfather enjoying a nice cup of Joe, we enjoyed time on the Oceanside Pier, exploring the sights of San Juan Capistrano Mission. The sun was setting so we decided to head back home, up and over the Ortega Highway through the Cleveland National Forest. Daniel pulled off at the “Look Out” a local restaurant off the highway overlooking the lake of my hometown. I look out towards Elsinore and started blabbering about where people lived, realizing that Daniel wasn’t speaking, I turned towards him and then he asked me to marry him. There was just no thinking, I said yes!! I never thought I would ever find something like Daniel; it seems almost too good to be true. He makes me a better person, caring and I’ve finally found my other half that I have been missing. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. I cannot wait to spend the rest of life with my best friend, and I want share it with the world! |
