This love story holds a very special place in my heart.  My dear friend Bruce and I attended high school in the tiny but busting city of Seoul, South Korea.  And in this very same city–many years later–is where Laura and Bruce’s love story all began.  Laura, a Delaware native, had been working as an English teacher and Bruce was just nearing the end of his military assignment in Korea.  The first two locked eyes during a night out in Itaewon–a hip and eclectic district known for it’s diverse culture and crowd.  And it was Laura, not Bruce, that made the first move.  Over the years, I’ve gotten to know Laura quite well so my bewildered tone comes from the fact that she is the calm, level-headed, reserved one.  But I’ve also learned that the girl is fierce.  When she knows what she wants she will get what she wants and in that serendipitous moment, it was Bruce.  Little did she realize that this fated night would mark the beginning of their love story.

Months later, Bruce was reassigned to a base in Germany.  As Laura’s teaching contract in Korea came to an end, she took the chance and followed her wanderlust + curious heart to continue what she had with Bruce in yet another foreign land.  They voyaged, they explored, and as they continued to curate memories together in a country 4,000 miles away from home, they fell in love.  What should’ve been continued euphoria was quickly severed by a terrifying health scare.  Laura unexpectedly contracted a severe lung infection and within a matter of days of feeling “ill” she lied lifeless on the operating table as surgeons fought to save her life.  Her family immediately flew in and together with Bruce they prayed.  What was said by doctors to have been a 50% chance of survival ended up being a miracle–Laura made it.  I told you she is fierce.

Bruce and Laura look back on this experience with mixed emotions–a test of faith that drew them closer together, a new appreciation for life and their love for one another.  Every battle they’ve faced, they’ve done so together.  It was during these moments when they realized they would never be alone again–each challenge, setback, and victory was theirs. 

Laura and Bruce, my heart overflows with love for you both.  You are the type of people who make the world better, inspire others, and believe staggering odds are simply an opportunity to shine.  Your love makes others want to support you in deep and profound ways, and I’m honored to have documented your day as husband and wife.  I am thankful to have been invited to your lives and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for both of you.

Here is more of Laura’s personal account of the terrifying scare in Germany: Laura’s Blog