Our Love Story
Some people meet on dating apps, some grow up together. David and Tina met because of fate, and a little help from the U.S. Air Force.
David and Tina come from two completely different worlds….literally. Tina was born in the former Yugoslavia, was tragically forced from her home during the war, and moved with her family to Germany at the age of six. After living in Germany for several years, she immigrated to the Untied States in 1998, and almost randomly landed in Dayton, Ohio. Just about 50 miles away, David was growing up in Cincinnati, spending time with local friends, rarely leaving the comfort of his hometown.
While they were geographically close, their lives were far apart, and they wouldn’t meet each other for another 20 years.
David spent the next several years pursuing school, engineering, and a career in the military. Tina, realizing her passion and talent for building international relationships, also pursued a career in the Air Force, working in international affairs.
Despite their different paths – Tina with her international background and extensive travel experience, and David with his engineering and military career – the universe (and a few very persistent assignment officers) had a plan. While working on international partnerships and technology development, Tina and David were eventually assigned to the same project, and their paths finally aligned.
David was immediately drawn in by Tina’s beauty, intelligence, and sense of adventure. Five minutes in, and he was a goner. Tina, ever the discerning diplomat, took a bit longer – but she eventually realized that the persistent, charming engineer who kept showing up might actually be her person.
Over the next few years, they discovered that they had everything in common: a love for travel, an appreciation for different cultures, love for family, and a mutual respect that turned into an intense friendship….and then into something way more amazing.
Now they’re best friends, partners in crime, and soon-to-be husband and wife, all because fate (and a few military memos) brought them together.
“The first time I saw Tina, it was love at first site. In case you don’t believe in that, I promise you, it’s real!”
-David, multiple occasions
