June 13th, 2008; Murphy’s Saloon. Jason was minding his own business on the dance floor. Christine boldly stalked Jason and sat outside his home for several days next to his mailbox. When Jason went out to get the mail he struck up a conversation and left with her number, and the rest was history.
Over the past 2 years, they have experienced a move-in together, a 6-month deployment, and construction of the “man-cave bonus room.” Raja and Bandit have also adjusted well to not being only children anymore.

March 6, 2010, Estes Park, CO. “Lets go to Tony’s wedding in Indiana,” he told her. Christine thought it odd that Jason would be willing to drive 6 hours to the Denver airport (“It’s cheaper than Rapid”), then get on a plane for another 4, but he was paying, so she didn’t question. He wouldn’t let her handle any aspect of the trip, which was another welcome oddity for Christine. At the Loveland, CO exit, he said they needed to get gas, even though there was half a tank. Another one of his overplanning habits, Christine thought, but she shrugged it off. A couple miles into the exit, she started to protest. When his expression couldn’t contain a huge grin, she knew she was the fool. They were heading to Rocky Mountain National Park for a romantic getaway to the Riversong Bed and Breakfast. During dinner, he got down on one knee with Grandma Brophy’s diamond ring. She said yes.

In April, Jason will head to his next assignment as a T-38 Instructor pilot at Vance AFB, in Enid, Oklahoma. Again, Christine will dutifully hold down (and hopefully sell) the fort, but not the dogs until they join him in August.