THE ADVENTURES OF JAE-BEAR AND KARA-BEAR
Patrick was on his third month of deployment in Southern Afghanistan when he received an unusual email from his mother. In it she explained that Kathy, whom he considers his sister, had found someone that she felt was perfect for him; a good friend of hers who went by the name of Makara. Filled with excitement of the news, Patrick waited until around midnight after a full day of work to access one of the few computers on the base. That was the only way he could access Facebook to see a photograph of Makara. He waited for 20 minutes in anticipation for a single photograph to load and once it did his life changed forever.
Patrick spent his remaining minutes on the computer typing a request to Makara to be pen pals. He hoped to get to know Makara better through e-mail since any other form of communication was extremely limited. The next day, Makara typed a two page letter and for the next four months the two would write daily. Patrick and Makara wrote of their hopes, dreams, passions, goals and the difficulties of their lives. They wrote of happy times, of sad times, about everything and anything. It was through letters that their love for one another grew stronger.
It wasn't until Makara’s 21st birthday on New Years that the two would meet in person. Patrick arrived at four in the evening after flying halfway across the world for Rest and Recuperation leave. As soon as he walked up the last flight of stairs at the airport, their eyes locked and any doubts faded. Speechless, the two walked towards each other and without hesitation embraced. It was at this moment that the two would share their first kiss. Two weeks passed quickly and Patrick returned to Afghanistan to finish his deployment.
With their love stronger than ever, the two decided to write hand written letters. Though difficult, Patrick and Makara cherished the opportunity to understand one another so well despite the distance. The only question that came to mind was if it would be different once they were reunited. Patrick returned home for good on July 15th and the two have been inseparable since. Patrick proposed on October 1, 2010, which marks the one year anniversary of their first written letter. Filled with excitement and happiness, Makara said YES!
The two decided to celebrate their wedding exactly one year after their reunion. This marks the beginning of an adventurous life together.
