Andrew & Lauren

Love happens when you least expect it. I went to a Red Sox game, April 13 four years ago and met the love of my life. I didn't know that he was the one at the time. All I knew was that he was blocking my view and the Red Sox vs. Yankees game was tied 2-2. I went up to him, stood on my tip toes and tapped him on the shoulder to tell him that he was blocking my view (he's 6'7”.) He turned, looked at me, smiled and had me scoot in with him so that I could see the game. He was the strong silent type so I had to make the first move. I asked him about where he was from and why he was wearing my birthday on his wrist. He had a silver band on his wrist with the date January 22, 2007. I think he was a little taken aback by the fact that I noticed the bracelet, but he went on about how he was from a farm town in Illinois and had just got stationed here from Alaska and already hated the city. I bet him right then and there that I could change his mind and asked to buy him a beer. He laughed and said "I'm already sold.” We talked for a while about what he did for the Air Force.

Something about that conversation that made me realize he was the one. I don't know if it was the twinkle in his eyes when he talked about his work with the K-9 section, or how his face softened when he talked about his troops but all I knew was that I was sold too. Andy has not only become my best friend he's become my hero. Andy has spent 14 years in the service and I have never met anyone more proud to serve his country. When he talks about his career in the military he gets that same twinkle in his eyes that I saw four years ago. He has worked with the military working dog section for the past 10 years and strives to make a difference in the lives of his troops. He has worked from the bottom and climbed to the top. Now he is the Kennel Master at Hanscom Airforce Base. He believes if he can train these guys to the best of his and their abilities they will save the lives of many soldiers fighting for our freedom. In January 2007, Andy's best friend and Kennel Master was killed in Iraq and from that point on he has taken the good with the bad and promised to be the Kennel Master that Jason once was. He strives for greatness in everything that he does and emulates everything that a solider should be. We had to postpone our September wedding because he is currently serving in Afghanistan and is due back in October. I can't think of anyone who deserves this more than this solider.