Wedding to Remember: Erica and Greg

Essay submitted by Erica:

My finance Sgt. Gregory Potter is a true American Hero and we have a beautiful love story.

Greg is from Swanquarter, NC and I am from Bridgewater, MA. We met in 2006 when I was on a mission trip with my church. Over the years, our friendship grew strong. We spent hours on the phone each night sharing childhood stories, laughing and truly getting to know one another. Our friendship soon grew into a romantic relationship. Our relationship was long-distance for two years and once Greg graduated college he moved to Massachusetts. Soon after, Greg joined the Massachusetts National Guard. Basic training, MOS training and deployment training took over the following year. During his leave, Greg proposed to me in the church in which we met and two days later left for Afghanistan.

While in Afghanistan, Greg and I would email and Skype whenever possible. Every day I was worried about his safety and constantly worrying was difficult, but the deployment forced us to focus on what is truly important. We learned to never take the time we have together for granted and even today we live by that motto. After many long months, Greg returned home safely. The day he came home and put his arms around me was the best day of my life. Not only did it signal his deployment ending, but it was the official start to OUR life together. Finally, we were together with no end in sight. It was the first time in our relationship that we were able to see one another every single day.

Greg is strong, kind man whose selflessness is exemplified by his commitment to America. He makes me laugh, respects my choices and honestly loves my family as if they are his own. My favorite thing about Greg is how he always makes me feel safe and that everything will be okay. I was always strong for him while he was deployed, but it was his constant reassurance that we would soon be together that kept me going. Over the years we have grown into a solid couple; we balance one another and have an extraordinary connection that will allow us to get through any problem. Every day I feel blessed to be able to spend my life with Greg.

We deserve the fantasy wedding because it is our chance to make our relationship our first priority. College, our careers and the military have been our focus over the years and it is time to celebrate our bond and special love story. Getting married on Veterans Day would be an incredibly special way to honor the sacrifices Greg has made for our country. Greg's military career has and will continue to physically separate us but it has made our relationship unbreakable. Please help us add another chapter to our love story and live happily ever after.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Greg and I truly appreciate it.

Meet the couples: Ashleigh and Matthew | Kari and Bryan | Erica and Greg

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