Jeremy and Rachael "Jewels"

Photography by Randy Bacon

“We had our first date, and I never left her sight [during] those two weeks of vacation,” says Jeremy. “I don’t know what it was about her, but I fell head over heels in love that day.” 

The heart-wrenching reality was Jeremy only had two weeks to spend with the woman of his dreams.  He met Rachael on a two-week vacation in the USA; afterward, he was deployed back to Afghanistan to serve in the Army for two years. It was love at first sight. But could that whirlwind romance survive a very trying time spent apart? Much of the security and confidence of a relationship involves physical presence. To see the person--to see the love in their eyes, to find comfort through holding their hand. 

After Jeremy’s deployment, their only form of “dates” were digital. No hand-holding; no eye contact. However, they made due with long-distance phone calls and by watching their favorite T.V. shows together--Rachel in Springfield, Missouri, and Jeremy over 7,000 miles away in Afghanistan. It was challenging, but it was worth it.

The couple dated for two years before that day. That day when, to Rachael’s surprise, she finally saw the man of her dreams. In the flesh. Jumping out of an airplane.

“I never imagined I would propose to Rachael after jumping out of a plane for the first time, in front of 125,000 people, no less!” 

Jeremy gave Rachael the surprise of her life when he turned out to be one of the skydivers at a large Fourth of July celebration. He then bent down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. Rachael eagerly agreed, saying, “I never thought a long distance relationship with a military man would lead to a marriage proposal! You just never know what jewels life is holding in its hands.”