A Love Story
Happy Valentine’s Day my friends!
Last year, we were celebrating up phat at One Ocean (and ate a ridiculous meal!!), but this year, my Valentine is Bella 🙂
She’s a great Valentine… especially since I don’t have to share any chocolate with her 😉 She was my Valentine’s Day gift from the Pilot, 5 years ago.
Here’s a love story in honor of today’s holiday:
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A love story
Once upon a time…
There was a girl who grew up in Tucson, Arizona. She was very studious, loved to dance and adored shopping. She lived close to the Air Force base, and would constantly hear military planes flying overhead. While she appreciated the planes as a signal of freedom and safety, she couldn’t ever see herself marrying a military man…. she wasn’t sure if her heart could handle the loneliness.
Like pretty much all college-aged girls, she had been hurt quite a few times in the past. After a particularly traumatizing break-up with the man she thought she would marry, she thought she was destined to climb the corporate ladder and live alone.
Then, she happened to meet the love of her life while studying at one of her favorite places.
(Source)
He was finishing up pilot training at the Air Force base, and had just moved to Tucson from Oklahoma two weeks prior to that.
Their first dinner date lasted four hours and as they say, the rest is history 😉
From that moment on, they had many adventures together.
Nights out dancing
and random shenanigans
Vacations
Some studying 😉
(and a baby Bell!)
Getting engaged
The Pilot’s first deployment
(and creepy mustache)
having a “second child”
getting married
Moving to North Carolina
and then to Valdosta.
It was when they got to Valdosta that things changed quite a bit. The Pilot’s work schedule was crazy.. the random adventures were still there,
but more spaced out. Event though her heart hurt from the work schedule and constant deployments and TDYs, the wife used the alone time to her advantage: chasing her goals and hanging out with friends.
To her surprise, all of the times he was gone didn’t make her heart lonely or resentful. It made her stronger, and made her love and appreciate him even more- something she didn’t think was possible.
Today, her heart is very happy because she knows when he’ll be home (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and that they have many new exciting adventures to look forward to 🙂
Lesson of the story: Everything really does work out the way it’s supposed to <3
Lesson #2: Starbucks is a great place to hang out 😉
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Something to talk about: V-day: love it or hate it? Any plans for tonight?
150 Comments
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This post is so moving, Gina! I always admire your positivity and honesty – Happy Valentine’s Day!
This is the sweetest Valentine’s Day post!!! Love the pics;) I’m excited for you guys and your soon-to-be reunion!
Gina I loved reading this and especially for the pics of baby Bella and Viesa!!! What adorable puppies 🙂
How exciting to know when your love returns home!
Sorry if this is so silly — did the Pilot wear an engagement ring?
he did when he was deployed because if anything were to happen, they have more sympathy for guys who are married
Makes sense — I only ask because when Jason and I got engaged he really wanted to get a ring for himself!
it’s not uncommon at all- i say go for it 🙂
just remembered you guys are married already haha
Bella was a Vday gift?? That is super sweet :)Your lesson of the story couldn’t be more true. I always try and remind myself that everything happens for a reason. Happy Valentine’s Day!
yes, he brought her over to my apartment and she was wrapped in a t-shirt because the people he bought her from gave her a bath and she was still wet! so tiny, too- she weighed 3 lbs!
that is SO SWEET! *crosses fingers for puppy tonite*
Very adorable. So happy for you two.
Love your love story!! (and cutie pie puppy pictures)
Usually not a huge fan of V-Day… It’s a little contrived and retail-created. That being said, it is fun to celebrate with someone special or your favourite gal pals.
I’m going on a first date tonight? Kind of a funny day to be doing it, but I’m excited.
ohhh HAVE FUN 🙂
very cute.
Im cooking for the bf, making salad, veggie lasagna, and a white cake with nutella cream cheese frosting. Everything from scratch and already did the cake….he already ate two pieces yesterday so i guess its good.
that cake sounds AMAZING. can you believe i’ve never had nutella?
I absolutely love this post–such an amazingly cute story of love! <3
I'm pretty neutral about V-day–I'll be going out to dinner with my love, nothing big! 🙂
I love your story. 🙂 Very sweet.
Our 1st anniversary is actually next Sunday. So, Valentines day will always be out shined by our anniversary a week later. 🙂
And DH’s B day on the 28th. 🙂
Have a beautiful day with Bella!
That was such a sweet story!! Not to be all creeper but I think I recognize those apartments, is that Goldsboro NC? Cause I live there. I used to be neutral to Vday until this year and now I love it. 😀 No plans tonight I got my surprises on Saturday.
no, we lived in fayetteville
This is the best!! Happy Valentine’s to all three of you. You’re such positive forces in the world and you deserve each other so much!
<3 thank you!
What a sweet post! I teared up reading it! It reminds me that blogs are kind of the new scrapbook!
I like v-day whether I’m single, taken or apart from my bo. This year I’m doing the long distance thing too, so I spent the weekend with a couple close lady friends. It was fun and reminded me how grateful I am to have friends to love as well! Tonight I’m babysitting so another couple can have a romantic night. The kids are two pint-sized cuties so I’m sure my “date-night” will be great!
Awww… this made me tear up! Happy Valentine’s Day. 🙂 I don’t really care either way about the day usually…. I do like eating chocolate though….
And zomg baby Bella was such a little furball. So cute.
so cute! Happy V-day to you!
I love this day. 🙂
I’m celebrating V-Day with a single ladies dinner out with my girlfriends! Homemade pasta, wine, and chocolate – all my faves! Very excited & very blessed to have best friends to be there for me this year! 🙂
You & the pilot are SO cute. And Baby Vies? I die.
if its meant to be, its meant to be! I love your story, it is amazing. Bella and Viesa, were absolutely the cutest little puppies EVER. Happy Valentines day, and glad to hear the pilot will be home soon, so the babies can start arriving 😛 lol
your valentine is very cute 🙂 have a great day <3
You guys are one good looking couple 🙂 And you have a great story too!
My hubby is my sous chef for life so yesterday we pulled together an awesome meal. We love cooking together so I couldn’t ask for much more then that.
So glad that you get to see the Pilot soon. My brother is headed to Colorado for his training soon. Go Air Force!
What a sweet story 🙂 Thank you for sharing this on the magical day of love!! When does he get home? SO happy for you to see him somewhat soon….and yes, things really do WORK out the way they should!!
sooner rather than later- i can’t wait!!!
Sweet story!
I’m not a big valentine’s Day fan. I think it’s grossly over-commercialized and I don’t need a day to tell me to remind those I love, that I Love them! Live with Gratitude and love every day is my motto!
i totally agree 🙂
I definitely teared up reading this. <3
Such a great love story! Thanks for sharing, this is very inspiring! Excited that the Pilot will be home soon and that you guys will have more fun adventures to share!
Love this story! I think women married to military men are so strong. I’m glad you know when he’ll be home!! 🙂
You guys are so gorgeous (separately and together!), and I am so stoked that it seemingly won’t be long until your family is reunited and you guys can conquer this amazing life. I love love stories, thank you for sharing and happy Valentine’s! 😀
Love this post Gina! You guys are adorable. Baby Vies is also a little sweetheart! Ah! 😀 Have a great Valentine’s Day with little Bella mamma, and stay positive! 🙂
This made me tear up.
I love… Love <3.
You two make me excited to marry my guy 🙂
Cute love story, Gina! My fiance and I just returned home from Afghanistan this summer. We were lucky enough to get deployed together. It was tough being together as well though because you are always so worried about the other person’s safety — just as you are when one is at home and the other is deployed — however, it is too dangerous when both people are deployed together. This time we decided that I will stay home, per his request and if the military allows, and I will have to cheer him on from home next spring. It will be a different experience, but I am sure, like you said, it will only make us stronger. You are very strong, little lady. 🙂 Keep your head up!! Happy V-day to you and Bella – cheers!
You guys have the cutest story 🙂 So glad to hear that the Pilot will soon be home, and that you now know when to expect him!
Such a sweet post Gina! Especially love the baby Bella and Vies photos! 🙂
I’m usually eh about this day but my fiancé just came back from a six month deployment sooo we are definitely celebrating 🙂
wow- congrats!!
Happy Valentines Day love!!!! I loved reading this!! I believe everything happens for a reason!!!
So sweet!!! Bella is the sweetest Valentine ever!!!! I am so blessed to have my fiance and son as sweet valentines : ) you are so lucky to have your valentines too!!!
: ) Yay for Pilot coming home soon!!!!!!
Love it!
I am usually a fan of going out with my love on Valentine’s but this year I’m recovering from being sick. We’re just going to take it easy and stay in with dinner and a bottle of wine. And maybe go out next weekend.
Happy Valentines’s to you! So happy for you that you know when the pilot is coming home!
Such an adorable post! Young Gina & Pilot are so precious. (…and tan!!! :D) Knowing when he’ll be back is probably the best V-Day present you could ask for – so happy for you!!!
i miss my tan! i’m looking a little cullen lately 😉
Thanks for making me start today with a smile! Happy Valentines Day. I really don’t know a lot about the military and I really enjoy learning more about it through your writing and your stories. All the best to you and your Pilot love!
I hope he gets his bootay back to you soon; so Mr.& Mrs. Pilot can be back together!! Happy VDay. I’m celebrating with the kiddos.
I totally related to this post! I never would have thought I could end up with a man who travels either (my hubby is a commercial pilot), but I think the experience has done wonderful things in making me a stronger and more independent person who appreciates my husband all the more when he is home, but has a fulfilling life outside of marriage too.
So sweet! A great reminder than love conquers all! Have a Happy Valentines Day!!
So cute, Gina! So happy you’ll be with your pilot again soon!!
The best part of our Valentine’s? This afternoon we get to hear our baby’s heartbeat for the first time! Nothing better than that.
AMAZING gift 🙂
My boyfriend is working tonite(I feel like i *should* be upset – but I’m really not) So I’m meeting my mom at costco for some shopping and then working out. Romantic, right??
What a sweet story! I love lesson #2 ; )
No big plans here – going on a little day-hike, but nothing fancy shmancy for the evening. We prefer it that way : )
I’m so glad that you know when he’s coming home! So exciting!
I would have never in a million years been able to convince my Marine husband to wear an engagement ring (is it an Air Force thing? I have never even heard of that before!)
no, he wanted to wear it for his first deployment because if something were to happen, they have more sympathy for men who are married
Who exactly does the ring garner sympathy from? His commanders? The terrorists? I’m intrigued. I love learning more about different military customs, it’s crazy how different things are in the Army versus the Navy, etc.
Great post, Congrats on the returning news for Pilot! I’m indifferent, I actually do not mind the commercialism because it is all about that. Commercialism bothers me more when the holiday is about the birth or resurrection (sp??) of Jesus and it is all about commercialism. I will enjoy it with some of my Valentines, one of my babies, 23 yr old is studying in Brazil & I wish I could give her a personal hug and kiss – I know you know how that feels. Let the countdown begin!
Great post! About 5 years ago, I was dreading V-day since I just broke up with my fiancee and it was pretty rough. My mom and dad, however, gave me cards and were there for me and since then I’ve always remembered that I have awesome parents and a sister that love me and that’s more than enough (for now 🙂 ). Happy V-day! I’m looking forward to hear about all the adventures you two have planned.
That is SUCH a sweet post! I absolutely love the story of you and the pilot. I never go to Starbucks even though it is actually just right down the street.
Cute post! I love the baby dog pictures!
No stories about today. We lay low on this holiday and are looking forward to the days when we are no longer indentured servants to the science-man.
Aw yeah! I can’t wait til your hubby comes back…I can’t imagine if mine was gone for so long. You’re a brave woman!
That is such a GREAT story! I’m a lucky girl too to have an amazing husband who makes every day like valentines day 🙂
I love your posts like this!! You have the most beautiful engagement ring. You should share your engagement story with us also. 🙂
Thank God for Starbucks! 🙂
I’m so, so happy for you now that you know when the Pilot will be home. That must be an amazing feeling.
I guess my Valentine this year is my sister in law. And my nephew. My brother got relocated to Madrid and it will be another several months til my SIL/nephew can join him so I’m sure she would feel your pain. 🙂 Anyhoo she cooked a lovely and romantic dinner 😉 of mussels/shrimp and pasta w/ numerous veggie sides for us last night and I brought her a box of chocolates since I doubt that my brother will be sending her any from Espana! And in other news, I played Just Dance for Wii with my nephew all night and I think he’s got me beat where Britney is concerned. 😉 SO FUN.
Happy Valentine’s Day, lady!
Such a sweet post.
I love the pic of baby Bella too.