Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Burger | Pfc. Katherine French, a native of Prior Lake, Minn., topographic analysts, 2nd...... read more read more
By Spc. Tiffany Evans
Multi-National Division - Center
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Every couple has a story about how they met. Two Soldiers with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, has the Army to thank for each other. Without the Army, they may have never met.
Pvts. Andrew and Katherine French, topographic analysts, met at Advanced Individual Training at Fort Belvoir, Va. During their 6 months at AIT, the couple became friends and as their relationship grew, they discussed marriage.
"Most of our time together was spent on the weekends," said Katherine, 26, a native of Prior Lake, Minn. "When you know, you know. One weekend toward the end, Andrew proposed."
There was only one slight kink in this love story. The Soldiers were projected assignments is much different places: Katherine had orders for Colorado, and Andrew orders for Hawaii. Katherine found herself praying for her orders to change and say Hawaii.
"Much to our surprise, the week after I proposed to Katherine, my orders changed to Fort Carson, Colorado," said Andrew, 21, a native of Denton, Texas. "After graduating and getting to Fort Carson, we learned that we were assigned to the same unit."
On April 28, the couple married, and soon after, they meet each other's families for the first time.
Katherine, who said her decision to join the Army was harder for her parents than her decision to get married, said they just adore Andrew. They agreed the young couple was made for each other, and they had never seen their daughter happier.
"My parents see her as a daughter and a great addition to the family," Andrew said. "They think this marriage is very good for us and [are] happy for us."
Through AIT the couple learned how to walk the line between the professional and home atmosphere. This paid off because they were able to show their new section how well they work together without allowing their personal relationship to interfere.
"We are a great team at work even if we only work a couple of hours together every day," Katherine said. "We've only been deployed about 3 months and are very blessed to be deployed together."
Their deployment together keeps their morale high, but they do not flaunt it in front of their fellow Soldiers who are not so lucky to have their spouses with them.
"We know how rare it is to be deployed and in the same unit as your spouse," Andrew said. "God has a plan for us, and we are doing our best to be modest about our blessings."
Before joining the Army, both Soldiers said their lives were going nowhere fast. Each wanted a new career, to work on college, gain benefits, do something for their country and better themselves.
"The Army has been great for me and introduced me to my wife, who changed my life for the better," Andrew said. "Neither of us would have believed we'd meet our spouse in the Army."
"Being together on this deployment has helped us to grow closer mentally, emotionally and spiritually," Andrew and Katherine said. "God gave us the greatest gift... each other."
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2008 08:11 |
| Story ID: | 27311 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 297 |
| Downloads: | 198 |
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