Our story starts about eight months ago. My name is Chelsea Hammond and my fiance's name is Todd Hover Jr. I graduated from highschool in June 2010. My graduation party was July 17, 2010 and I received the best surprise ever. I was having a blast at my party; my friends and family were making it one of the best days ever. Little did I know my cousin, James, was going to attend my party and bring his best friend, Todd, to the party with him. I had met Todd a few times while I was hanging out with my cousin James. Thing is I hadn't seen Todd since he graduated and joined the marines. Todd had just got home from an Afghanistan deployment and was spending time with my cousin James. They had both been in California for a get away trip, and just got back to NY the day of my party. They arrived at my party and I was already in utter surprise because James told me he most likely wouldn't make it to my party. I ran to his arms and gave him a huge hug of course. Then I saw him. Todd was standing in the back part of the tent just looking at me. I walked over and gave him a huge hug. I was in total shock to see him again, considering I hadn't seen him in over two years. All I wanted to do was catch up with him, and see how he had been. Of course everyone at the party didn't want that, they wanted me to start the blacklight party with all of the paints. We ended up doing that and a few hours later James and Todd had to leave. They were going to another party with some of their friends. At two in the morning I received a text message from him. Lets just say he had a little bit of beer in his system. He was asking me how I was and such. I soon after passed out from exhaustion. The next morning I woke up to a text from my cousin and from Todd. James told me how Todd had been asking for my number the whole night before, and how he couldn't get me off his mind. Todd asked me if I wanted to go to the movies. In the end my cousin, sister, Todd, and I went to the movies that night. Me being an extremely old school girl, I wouldn't allow Todd to hold my hand for a while. He got a little antsy and finally just grabbed my hand. We were in the theatre watching Despicable Me. We were laughing and having a great time. After the movie we were in the lobby waiting for James to use the restroom and Todd leaned in to kiss me. I just put my head down and then looked at him. I had never dated anyone or kissed anyone before. He just pulled me in close and hugged me. He drove me to the Whitney Point gas station and tried to kiss me again before he sent me home with my sister Keilanna. He asked me why I was afraid to kiss him and I told him how I had never kissed anyone and I was afraid I'd be bad at it. He just shook his head, leaned in, and kissed me. Then he looked at me and said, "best kiss I've ever had." Then he grabbed me and gave me a huge hug. My cousin James was then telling us "enough guys, wrap it up." He started laughing and Todd walked me to my car and said goodnight. The next morning my aunt Carlita gave me a phone call. She told me that Todd went over to her house and said he had the best date ever and he couldn't wait to see me again. Immediately after hanging up with my aunt, Todd called me. He called to ask if he could come over after lunch with his parents and spend the evening with me. My father, Kurt, and my mother, Callise, were both a little hesitant to letting a guy come over to see there baby girl. They let him come over and he spent the whole evening with us. We were laughing, watching television, talking about random stuff the whole night. He didn't leave my house until 3 in the morning. He had to leave around 8 in the morning to go back to where he is stationed. My aunt Carlita told me she and my cousin James were meeting Todd for breakfast in Binghamton at 7. So I got up and surprised him. He teared up and told me that was the best surprise ever and he held me tight the whole time. When we had to say goodbye we were both really upset. We had only seen each other for three days, but we both already felt something. For about a month and a half we just talked on the phone on weekends and texted whenever we could during the week. He was able to come home for a weekend and we went to the state fair together, the JC Field Days, and spent time with both of our families. He had to leave again, which was getting harder to do. I wasn't going to see him for 3 months this time. It was a really hard 3 months to get through, but we did it. We skyped a few times just so we could see each other's face. In November, my mother, sister Kirsten, and I went to North Carolina to see him. He had invited me to the Marine Ball. We spent a week together. It was a perfect week. He took me for walks on the beach and we went swimming a few times. We just seemed to click no matter what we did. Everytime we did something it was fun. On November 11, 2010 Todd took me to his Marine Ball. I got all dolled up and he was in his dress blues. My mother opened the separating door between the two rooms we were getting dressed in. As soon as he saw me his jaw dropped, he walked over to me and said "wow. You look....you look absolutely beautiful." He then kissed me on the chick and put me in his arms. We headed down to the ball and he introduced me to all his friends. I was so nervous being in a room full of marine wives and marines. Todd managed to calm me down just by looking at me, holding my hand, and kissing me on the cheek. The morning after the ball was the worst. After an absolutely perfect week together, the last thing we wanted to do was say goodbye. I had to go unfortunately, so with lots of tears, hugs, and kisses...we said goodbye. With more phone calls and texts we managed to make it to Christmas. He flew in the night before Christmas Eve, and we both burst into tears when we saw each other. The next day we went to my house for a while and played some games with my family, and later that afternoon we headed over to his family Christmas get together. He "forgot" where his aunt lived so we circled around the block a bit. Finally, we stopped and he took me to his great grandmother's final resting place. He started telling me how much he loved me, and how proud his great grandmother would be of him for finding a girl like me. He asked me to close my eyes, but me being stubborn I kept telling him no. Knowing I wasn't going to give up he handed me a little box. I asked him what it was and he told me to open it. I opened it, and there was the ring. I, in tears now, just looked at him. He told me since the moment he saw me he knew he loved me, and the day at the ball he knew he wanted to marry me. He then asked me to make him the luckiest man alive and be his bride. I was choking on tears at this point and said "YES!" He grabbed me in his arms and we kissed and hugged for a while. Then we went to his family get together. He introduced me as his fiance and everyone was like "Oh my goodness! Congratulations! and Welcome to the family!" It was by far the best day of my life. That weekend and time together went by way too fast. He had to leave the Wednesday after he arrived to go back again to his base. This was by far the hardest goodbye. He kissed my cheeks, my forehead, and my ring on my ring finger. He then said "I'm coming back for you. I love you, and I will come back and marry you." I love him with all of my heart. Dating a Marine, being engaged to a Marine, and soon enough marrying a Marine is a very hard task to do when you have to say goodbye. But the "I'm back" is always the best part. I can't wait to marry my Marine on July 15, 2011.
I love this engagement photo...the way he looks at me, just makes me know how much he loves me.
Gallery
Living Your Life With a Marine
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says ... on Thursday, Apr 14 at 11:25 AM
Too cute! congrats two you both!
says ... on Friday, Apr 8 at 7:41 PM
Thank you everyone! Please be praying for all our troops...tough times are coming and they need our prayer. Stay strong
says ... on Wednesday, Apr 6 at 9:05 AM
Life sounds wonderful for you both. Thank you Todd for serving our country! Thank you Chelsea, for loving a serviceman takes a special kind of love! Truly unconditional and without reservation!! May you both be blessed and God watch over you!
says ... on Wednesday, Apr 6 at 9:02 AM
Congratulations!!
says ... on Tuesday, Apr 5 at 9:17 AM
Sounds like a lucky Marine! Congratulations!
says ... on Tuesday, Apr 5 at 9:16 AM
Hope you have a happy life together!
says ... on Monday, Apr 4 at 2:40 PM
Thank you everyone! All your kind words mean the world to me. I honestly can't wait to marry my marine! I miss him so much
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 10:16 PM
Congrats from a Marine wife to a future Marine wife. Good luck to you. Looks like that Marine Corps makes more that a Few Good Men!! OORAH!!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 9:15 PM
beautiful story! i loved every second of reading it!!!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 8:49 PM
Congratulations!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 4:52 PM
I agree! I would love to see a movie with a great love story like this! congrats you two!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 4:50 PM
I vote a movie is made out of this beautiful love story!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 4:41 PM
It would make a beautiful movie too!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 4:28 PM
This would be awesome if you made a book out of it!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 4:27 PM
A truly mesmerizing story
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 4:26 PM
What a lovely story and an even lovelier couple
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 4:26 PM
Chels this is a beautiful story!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 2:07 PM
Many blessings! Chelsea I hope you keep a journal, these notes are precious and may you have many more!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 2:05 PM
Congratulations! Hoorah!!!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 2:04 PM
How sweet a story. True love knows no distance. Sounds like it was meant to be since an innocent crush. Congratulations!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 12:21 PM
A beautiful woman for a lucky marine!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 12:21 PM
I saw your picture on tv and had to read your story. You two make a lovely couple!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 12:20 PM
Oooorrrraaaahhhhh
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 12:19 PM
Semper Fi
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 12:19 PM
lovely story...have a wonderful life together!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 12:19 PM
What a lovely couple and beautiful story!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 10:31 AM
This story brought me to tears. Have a wonderful life together!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 10:30 AM
Have a wonderful life together!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 10:30 AM
beautiful story! best wishes
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 10:30 AM
you two are too cute!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 9:43 AM
Todd sounds like a great man...and Chelsea you sound like you will be a wonderful woman for him. Congrats to you both!
says ... on Saturday, Apr 2 at 2:29 AM
todd will be a good husband.
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:37 PM
You two make a perfect couple.
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:35 PM
You two are the bees knees.
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:34 PM
The pictures are great!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:31 PM
Great story!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:30 PM
Congratulations!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:30 PM
Todd is a great guy.
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:29 PM
Great story!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:27 PM
Congratulations!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:26 PM
I like your story.
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:25 PM
Best wishes!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:24 PM
Nice story!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:22 PM
Best wishes!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:22 PM
Congratulations!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:22 PM
A great story and pictures!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:20 PM
Great picture!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:19 PM
May you have a great life together.
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:19 PM
I love your story!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:18 PM
What a story!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:17 PM
What a match!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:16 PM
Lovely story!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:15 PM
Great story!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:15 PM
Wedding bells are ringing!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:14 PM
Have a great wedding!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:13 PM
Great pictures!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:12 PM
Best wishes!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:12 PM
Congratulations!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:11 PM
My very best to you.
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 10:26 AM
wow! congrats!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 2:08 AM
Have a great wedding!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 2:07 AM
Go Navy!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 2:07 AM
Best wishes!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 2:06 AM
Congratulations!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 2:06 AM
Nice picture!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 2:05 AM
Great story!
says ... on Friday, Apr 1 at 2:05 AM
Have a great future together!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 6:17 PM
Very sweet story...congrats to you both!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 12:07 PM
Nice story!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 12:05 PM
Wishing you a great life together!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 12:05 PM
Nice picture!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 12:04 PM
Best wishes!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 12:04 PM
Great story!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 12:03 PM
Congratulations!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 12:02 PM
May you have a great wedding day!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 11:50 AM
Congratulations!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 11:49 AM
Best wishes!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 11:49 AM
Wishing you both great times together!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 11:48 AM
Great story!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 11:47 AM
Best wishes!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 11:47 AM
Cogratulations!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 31 at 11:42 AM
What a beautiful story! My best wishes to both of you! May you have a beautiful wedding and a long, happy, healthy future together!
says ... on Wednesday, Mar 30 at 3:28 PM
Great story! Best wishes!
says ... on Tuesday, Mar 29 at 7:50 PM
Best wishes to you both!
says ... on Tuesday, Mar 29 at 7:18 PM
Congratulations!
says ... on Tuesday, Mar 29 at 12:43 PM
Great story!
says ... on Monday, Mar 28 at 11:13 PM
Best wishes!
says ... on Monday, Mar 28 at 6:28 PM
Wishing you a wonderful life together!
says ... on Monday, Mar 28 at 5:25 PM
Great story Marine bride to be!
says ... on Monday, Mar 28 at 12:56 PM
Best wishes!
says ... on Sunday, Mar 27 at 8:53 PM
Great story!
says ... on Sunday, Mar 27 at 6:45 PM
Congratulations!
says ... on Tuesday, Mar 22 at 2:31 PM
I can't wait until mommy and I can come visit you when you are married and I am a little bit older! <3
says ... on Tuesday, Mar 22 at 2:30 PM
So adorable Chels! ♥ Congratulations :)
says ... on Monday, Mar 21 at 3:40 PM
May Gold bless you both.
says ... on Monday, Mar 21 at 9:12 AM
This is so amazing...the way two people can just fall in love like this gives me such great joy. Good luck to the both of you
says ... on Saturday, Mar 19 at 5:19 PM
How sweet, good luck and congrats
says ... on Saturday, Mar 19 at 5:18 PM
Beautiful story. I hope you have a happy and healthy life together!!
says ... on Saturday, Mar 19 at 5:16 PM
So adorable Chels! ♥ Congratulations :)
says ... on Saturday, Mar 19 at 3:22 PM
Congratulations! Your story is completely touching :)
says ... on Saturday, Mar 19 at 1:15 PM
This is awesome. I wish you and Todd all the happiness in the world! Welcome to our family!!!
says ... on Saturday, Mar 19 at 1:12 PM
Congrats! I hope you guys all the happiness in the world and welcome to our family!!!!!
says ... on Saturday, Mar 19 at 1:02 PM
What a touching story! Congratulations!
says ... on Saturday, Mar 19 at 12:56 PM
Great story about the two of you. May God bless the two of you.
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 9:30 PM
Best wishes to you both. May you two have a lifetime of happiness together.
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 7:54 PM
Dear Toddy! Grandpa Joe and I are extremely happy to hear that you have found the love of your life. Although we have not met Chelsea personally, your Mom thinks the world of her and mothers know best. so having said that -Congratulations darling.
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 5:12 PM
What an absolutely wonderful story! I think it should be a Hallmark movie! Congratulations and best wishes!
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 4:41 PM
thank you so much everybody! Your kind words have been putting a smile on my face :) I definitely know what I'm getting myself into lol I can't wait to marry him!
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 2:27 PM
Todd and Chelsea congratulation, and Chelsea welcome to the family. I'm sure by now you know what your getting yourself into with this family - LOL! Best wishes for a long healthy and happy marriage.
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 1:42 PM
Congratulations!! That is most romantic story I have ever heard!! I think you are both lucky to have found each other and I know for sure you couldn't have picked a better Mother in law or sister in law!! You will both be extremely happy together!
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 1:16 PM
I am looking forward to having you as my daughter-in-law, Chelsea, and welcoming you into the family! Your story brought tears of joy to my eyes, and touched my heart! Love you both!
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 1:00 PM
I wish you both only the best!
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 12:50 PM
Beautiful story! Best wishes for a long and happy life together Todd and Chelsea.
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 12:37 PM
Congratulations and best wishes. I know Todd's Mom and Aunt Karen, and I know that Todd picked a wonderful girl just from listening to them talk she will be a wonderful addition to their family. I wish them both all the best!!!
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 12:33 PM
This is a Awesome Story Chelsea! You and Todd make a wonderful couple. We are so happy for the both of you!!!
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 11:58 AM
I am very happy for my nephew and his bride to be, a fantastic story and my best to both of you.
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 11:58 AM
I wish you both nothing but happiness!! Be thankful for each other every day of your lives!
says ... on Friday, Mar 18 at 11:51 AM
LOOOOOOVE IT! A beautiful start to what will surely be a beautiful life together!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 10:03 PM
Sounds like a special lifetime love! Best wishes!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 8:06 PM
I love you Dessi, Amy, Grandma, and Kasey :D! thank you everyone :)
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 8:03 PM
Very beautiful story! I had no idea! I wish you the best of luck! Congrats to you both
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 7:59 PM
congratulations! it couldn't have happened to a nicer couple! love you Chels!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 7:29 PM
Chelsea, I remember well your party and was wondering who this young man was. He seems to make you undeniably happy. I wish you all that happiness. Real love is a blessing that a lot of married people really don't have, but I am sure you two will.
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 7:17 PM
Chelsea, I am so happy for you(: this is just adorable and amazing! You and Todd are so perfect for each other. you're going to be such an amazing Wife (:! I love you<3! (:
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 7:06 PM
soo happy that Todd and you found eachother, i kno you make him as happy as can be & i cant wait to attend the wedding! :)
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 7:01 PM
thank you guys :)
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 3:12 PM
Miss Chelsea, I am truly overcome!! If you hadn't considered a career in writing, you surely should! What adventures you will have as material~ and no matter where your life takes you, You and Todd will always have a place to visit in our home! xoxox
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 10:28 AM
Oh I loe this...I cried reading it, I am so happy for both of you and really happy to see how well the two of you get along! Although I have been apart from these kids for so long I will always love them! Congrats to both of you! love you guys<3
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 10:24 AM
Congratulations and Best Wishes to you both. Hope you have a wonderful life together.
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 10:17 AM
Wonderful story sis! Don't forget I did your makeup on the night of Ball so that your beautiful eyes really caught his attention! You are beautiful and you two are so happy together. Good luck!
says ... on Thursday, Mar 17 at 9:42 AM
Awesome story Chelsea! So happy for you and Todd!
says ... on Wednesday, Mar 16 at 11:34 PM
Sweet story sis.
says ... on Wednesday, Mar 16 at 11:13 PM
Todd is a wonderful young man whom we will be blessed to have in our family! Just watching this special relationship bloom has been a blessing. The first time I saw his gaze upon your face at your party I knew he was smitten! All Our Love Forever!!
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