HIS
First of all, I am sort of long winded and take a while to explain myself sometimes. So, if you are taking the time to read about Aubrey and I, I am sure you have an interest anyway. Here’s my story of Aubrey and me.
We have actually known each other for over ten years now because we went to the same middle school and high school. Back at Suzanne Middle School Aubrey and I sort of hung out in the same group although during those adolescent times the girls stuck together and us guys were in our own group (we tried to stick close to the girls though). Aubrey always threw birthday parties and I attended a few of them over the years, as she did mine. I would say that throughout school we never had a “crush” or attraction towards one another, until our sophomore year in high school. At that time my attraction for her grew stronger then my fear and I asked her to the Winter Formal.
We ended up going to that dance and the both of us had a great time, even though she contributed to my near death experience after becoming sick. As the gentlemen that my Father and Grandfathers taught me to be, I gave the poor women my jacket for the night and I acquired a severe cold. Nothing really ever came of that dance and she nor I, ever really pursued each other. Time went on and we both graduated from Walnut High in 2002 (her among the top ten of our class and I not even sure if I would be eligible to receive my diploma -I’m not joking).
She went on to graduate from Cal State Fullerton and I pursued the U.S. Navy. It wasn’t until four after that dance that the sparkle in my eye was gleaming again because out of the blue I had received an email from Ms. Yeo. I will admit that when I received that first email from her, while onboard the U.S.S. Nimitz, my face couldn’t help but to create the biggest, most cheeky smile I had worn in a very long time. It was the most random thing, especially with no contact for years and me being on the other side of the World. My very good friend Brian Zelmanski had given her my contact information because I communicated with him often and told him how much value I put in communication from back home. Let’s just say that when I got back from boot-camp, A-school, and my six month west-pack tour, Brian (not my girlfriend at the time) was the first person I would go visit after getting my feet planted on home turf.
Aubrey and I emailed each other a few times while I was on the boat but never actually set up a time to meet or go out once I was due to arrive back home from my little overseas voyage. When I did arrive back home I was palin’ around with Brian in the beginning of November until his death on December 10, 2005. >>Brian’s death changed my life forever and I still consider him one of my best friends<< After Brian passed, Aubrey and her wonderful family were helping out the Zelmanski’s for the week up until his funeral, their families had known each other from Aubrey and Brian’s younger years. God is good and I had requested leave exactly for this time period months prior (otherwise without Brian being an actual blood brother I would have not been allowed leave) and was also helping out and trying to be there for the Zelmanski’s.
So after my long detailed story of Aubrey and I, here is pretty much where the beginning of our life together starts. During the day of Brian’s funeral all of our friends were going to get together over at another friend’s house that evening and towards the end of the reception Aubrey and I were cleaning up together. It came down to Aubrey, some other people and myself finishing things up, and the time had come to leave but Aubrey didn’t have a ride. With the biggest smile, I offered to give her a ride and she happily accepted and to me that’s where it all began.
Over the next few days I made an effort, for some random reason or another, to see her. About a week later, after seeing her each day, I flat out said “I don’t care what happens tomorrow, but I need to see you.” We hung out every day for the two weeks after BZ’s funeral and then I had to go back to Lemoore Naval Air Station because my leave was over. We talked everyday and on January 20, 2006, only about one month later, I asked her if I could introduce her as my girlfriend at my Navy buddy’s wedding that day… she said yes.
I drove down to visit Aubrey all but three or four weekends out of the last year while I was serving on Active Duty. We have been together for almost four years now and I can’t wait to be married to Aubrey. I proposed on May 25, 2009 four days before the day of BZ’s 25th anniversary of his life, which was on May 29, 2009. Life has been very different without BZ and I miss him tremendously. A very good friend Sara mentioned on the night of BZ’s wake, that for every action there is an opposite yet equal reaction (Newton’s Third Law which states that for every action there is an opposite yet equal reaction). She was very right because in losing a brother I gained my life partner.
Life is continuously changing and unexplainable things happen throughout it, therefore I’m learning how to appreciate everything while it’s all happening. I truly appreciate Aubrey and how we became reunited, forever.

HERS
Jr. High: the boy who sat behind me in
science
High School: one of the guys, a cute
friend and crush, my prince, my date,
my friend
August 2005: first contact in a long
while, an email overseas
December 10th 2005: Brian Stoops? A
MAN? “I have to get to know him”
December 17th: I’m cold, your jacket. A
look, a smile, a ride home.
Two weeks leave in December:
everyday excuses to see him again
My confession: “Lord I think I really
like him”
His confession: “I have traveled all over
the world and have come home to find
the girl for me”
January 2006: A first kiss. The start of a
new relationship. “Can I introduce
you as my girlfriend?”
1st year: it's like Christmas every time you come
home from base
2nd year: getting settled, being close to
home
3rd year: more love, more depth, this is
it… engagement, butterflies, tears
Now: hopes & dreams, trust &
commitment: US
A love for always & in all ways