Monica shared their sweet love story with us – 

A broken leg. A worldwide pandemic. A trip to the ER for 17 stitches (thanks Monica). None of these things sound like the ingredients for a love story, but I think both of us would now agree that love truly does work in mysterious ways. Mark had already been stuck at Quantico for 10 months recovering from a broken leg for what was initially supposed to be only a 6 month stint for the USMC’s The Basic School. It’s safe to say that he never truly appreciated how much of a blessing in disguise his injury was, because without it he would have never met the love of his life.

Monica was not an easy catch. After messaging for what seemed like an eternity, Monica finally agreed to give Mark her number, however she still made Mark wait even longer. A month spent constantly texting later, Monica finally agreed to meet Mark…in her driveway…with her strict father right inside…in her pajamas. As a young first lieutenant in the Marine Corps, you can only imagine how nervous Mark was with trying to gain the affection of a retired Colonel’s daughter.

After months of weekend workouts together at the track (including a memorable CrossFit session capped off with Monica driving Mark to the hospital), morning coffee dates at Georgetown’s Baked & Wired, picnics in Monica’s driveway (thanks coronavirus), and Mark coming over for Monica’s mother’s excellent cooking EVERY NIGHT, her parents finally invited him over for a Memorial Day cookout. When Monica left to go visit her sister at Ft. Campbell, KY at the end of May 2020, Mark took that opportunity to have dinner with her parents to express his true love and intentions for Monica. Thankfully, they were able to appreciate–despite Mark’s nervous stammering–just how much he cared for Monica and gave him their blessing to ask for Monica’s hand in marriage.

A month rolled by with Mark trying to custom design the most perfect ring that symbolized his love for Monica. During the week of July 4, 2020, Mark had planned a surprise that involved hiking and Paffles (a delicious puff pastry + waffle concoction) in Charlottesville, VA. On July 3, Mark took Monica to the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah National Park to hike one of VA’s most natural and beautiful waterfalls. Going off trail, Mark told Monica to go and touch the water. After getting her sock and shoe completely drenched, Monica was ready to go because she was hangry. Before she could navigate her way back to the main trail, Mark took her hand and said “Monica…” and that’s when she knew (Mark had been acting weird all week). Already on one knee, Mark had barely started his meticulously-prepared speech when Monica started ugly crying. It was a surprise and a whirlwind of emotions within a matter of seconds, but it was the easiest decision both of them have ever made.

After getting to know each other in a short amount of time, we realized that we shared the same values and were motivated by the same things.  Most importantly, it was the mutual respect we both shared for each other and the understanding of our individual needs.  After just two months (and some change) of dating, Mark wanted to make a commitment to Monica before he departed for Naval Justice School up in Newport, Rhode Island for three months.  It was then that they both realized that with the commitment, love, respect and patience they both had with each other that marriage was the next step for them.

We love having a completely chill day on the couch watching an entire Netflix Series in one day with our three dogs while never leaving the house and ordering Uber Eats twice a day (no, really this is our potato day that we do once a month), working out together whether it’s a run on the beach or hiking in Hawai’i or the Shenandoah Mountains, traveling to new places, trying new hole in the wall coffee shops and brunch places! 

Above everything else, Monica and Mark value faith, discipline, and self-improvement.