I met Eve in March of 2012 while vacationing in Cebu, Philippines. I first saw her at the Coffee Bean at Ayala Mall in Cebu City but didn’t introduce myself until I ran into her a second time in the same location. I introduced myself and started a courtship that lasted to this day (3 years plus). After my trip to Cebu, I began training for a deployment to Africa that would last approx. 8 months. We maintained contact as much as possible, but my internet connectivity was limited since I was living in the hinterland of Liberia. After my Africa deployment, I returned to Cebu in November of 2012. It was during this trip that we solidified our relationship and I was introduced to her parents and extended family. During the next year while stationed in Okinawa Japan we maintained contact primarily through Facebook and Skype and we discussed marrying and having her come to Okinawa, however I received notification that I would be leaving my duty station in Okinawa to return to the United States to join an seafaring unit that would require almost one year of training followed by a 7 month deployment to the Middle East. Thus, due to my military commitments that lasted from roughly September of 2013 to February of 2015, we were again forced to maintain a long distance relationship until I could return. I returned from my deployment in late February and returned to Cebu for a third time. While there, I again met with her parents and family and expressed our mutual desire to marry. While a marriage in the Philippines was considered, it is our desire to marry in the US, thus our current application for the K-1 Visa.
My relationship with Eve has “weathered the storm” and overcome the challenges of time and distance of my military deployments. Regardless, our relationship is stronger to this day. I am grateful for her love and support and for believing in us through thick and thin.
