- Traveling Companions

Travel can test the limits of your endurance. While fun, it can be grueling at times and can push two traveling companions to the edge of civility.

That's why it's important to travel with a good friend. When you are tired and stressed you need a shoulder to lean on that can support you, and that support is often found only in the best of friends.

Fortunately for Harry and Laura their many travel exploits have been shared together as devoted friends and life-long travel companions. Due in part to their long history together they each know how to anticipate the other's needs and serve as that supporting shoulder during trying journeys.

Take their random dog sledding trip in northern Minnesota as an example of what loving companionship looks like. The two were easily able to laugh at the potentially dangerous moment when Harry was knocked from his mushing post on the sled and Laura left him behind facedown in the snow, trapped in a run-away dog sled.

For some the fear would have been overpowering, causing outbursts of anger and frustration. But for Harry and Laura it was just part of the journey and laugh it off. A true sign that these two have what it takes to be devoted traveling companions abroad and through life's uncertainties.

Watch their story and get a glimpse at what it means to marry your best friend.

- Self Sacrifice

Though Rose Ann grew up in the Philippines she was raised in a relative life of privelege. She was studying to become a physician and her future was all set. Maids, education, a promising future, and a serious relationship. Why would Rose Ann choose to pick up and move more than 9,000 miles from home?

Her boyfriend at the time who was also studying to become a doctor encouraged her to move with him to the States to finish his education in America. Though not overly excited about the idea, she chose to leave her comforts in the Philippines to follow her heart.

Interestingly enough her heart didn't lead astray, but it took a different path than she had originally expected. She didn't end up in the same city as her boyfriend, and so in spite of their best efforts to the contrary they still ended up in a long distance relationship.

So when Andrew found himself in Rose Ann's class he was instantly attracted and immediately introduced himself. In their first discussion he learned that she was "newly off the boat" and so he offered to help her buy some appliances and essentials at Walmart in an attempt to get her settled into her new apartment. Not wanting to turn down free help Rose Ann accepted the offer but forgot to mention that she was in a serious relationship. In time Andrew's persistence and Rose Ann's revaluation of her future led them into a new relationship together.

Currently they are living in small town in Washington where Rose Ann can help satisfy the requirements of her visa. From a career stand point it's not the ideal location for either of them, but they've both come to the realization that the sacrifice of career is the price they are willing to pay to be together.

Watch their story and you'll learn how this couple's self sacrifice - be it in career, location, or comforts - has lead them to a life time filled with love.

- Getting On Board

Dylan goes months at a time without feeling the warmth of the sun's rays on his face. No, he's not a vampire. He works on a submarine crew for the Navy and often finds himself living underwater for months at a time. It takes commitment and determination to forsake basic human comforts for a greater good. Dylan's motivation is a conscious awareness that his sacrifice helps ensure the safety of his nation.

But Dylan's surrender to the good of his country represents only one half of the sacrifice being made. Katie goes months at a time with little communication from Dylan while he is at sea. And unlike most of us - she has to give up time with her husband for the good of her country.

Military marriages require a level of commitment and sacrifice that most civilian marriages do not. And it's that level of commitment that Katie wasn't sure that she was ready for. When Dylan decided that the sea was calling and he wanted to join the Navy, it was a near deal breaker for Katie.

She recounts in their story how Dylan told her that she needed to "get on board" with his career decision in order for their relationship to work. Ultimately, Katie decided that the price of sharing Dylan with her country wasn't as great as not having him at all, and from that moment their relationship blossomed into a life long commitment.

Watch their story and get a glimpse at how this couple worked together to get on board with a lifetime of love and shared sacrifice.

- Just The 2 of Us

Some people look at marriage as a "ball and chain" and yet others find a wealth of happiness by marrying their best friend. These couples seem to find joy in the simple things of everyday life - just because they're doing them together.

Marlon summed this thought up quite well in their interview. “We always say if its just the two of us, we’re fine... 'cause we’re always laughing and enjoying each other.”

Cassandra recalls the moment when this happy friendship began online. “When I saw his message pop up, I looked at him and he was cute and everything, so we just chatted. But it seemed like we already knew each other because the moment we started chatting was like all day and talking all night and texting.” There was an instant connection and the two became friends very quickly.

When they finally met offline they found themselves at Chick-fil-a laughing over a discussion topic of taxes and money! A true sign that this friendship could find joy even in the most mundane events of life. Naturally that type of friendship lends itself frequent encounters. Cassandra mused; “We kept meeting up here and there. And then it became every day after work. That went on for almost three months straight.”

Watch their story and you'll learn how this couple moved from friends to newly weds and ultimately found happiness by living “just the two of us”.

- Go Big, Go Home

It would be an understatement to say that most weddings are a celebration. After all that is the point - they are made to celebrate a life long commitment between two people who love each other deeply. Though the size and scope of the celebration looks different with each couple, there is always an undercurrent of joy that naturally follows the day.

Jerome and Simone decided to make their wedding big. But not just for the sake of having a big wedding, but because they wanted to celebrate something so much bigger - a loving, once in a life time, commitment that is focused around mutual encouragement.

Simone shared that while she was studying for her exams in nursing school Jerome's mom passed away. And though it was a trying time for Jerome he never stopped encouraging Simone, even going so far as to call her before the test and tell her that he believed in her. That impressed so deeply on her that she could barely utter it without shedding a tear.

The ability to encourage others while suffering your own loss shows a level of love and selflessness that is rare to find in today's world. So when it's found you have to celebrate it  - shout it from the rooftops even. It's just that big.

Watch their story and you'll get a glimpse of what selfless encouragement looks like and how it's celebrated in a big way!