We've spent pretty much all of our lives living two minutes away from each other. We were friends growing up through elementary and middle school, and then in high school we became much closer. We were best friends up until our senior year when we realized we were much more, and on
February 1, 2000 we made it official. We graduated high school and headed to Cincinnati to attend the University of Cincinnati - Erik on an Army ROTC scholarship, majoring in Computer Science, and Crystal attending DAAP to major in Digital Design. A few years in Erik realized that the life of an officer was not for him, and decided to leave ROTC to enlist. Although it was a difficult decision, it was definitely for the best. Crystal has supported Erik through Basic Training, AIT, and Airborne School, where she proudly pinned on his wings. Now Erik is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in the 82D Airborne Division, working as a mechanic in the motorpool. Even though the distance is hard and we only see each other about once a month, we're working through it and our relationship is as strong as ever. Crystal is currently working hard at school and is set to graduate in June 2006. She's pursuing a full-time position at Procter & Gamble (where she has co-oped for three quarters), but will also be sending applications to other places in Cincinnati and North Carolina. Erik has been incredibly supportive of her school work and her job search and has kept her sane through the entire process.