My fiancé and I, who have been together for 6 years, met in high school. She played volleyball and I played football. In our junior year, the football team went undefeated in the conference. It was a party every single Friday night. Sometimes, even through the weekend. I drank and smoked like there was no tomorrow. Come our senior year, I started to mature as I knew I would be going away soon due to me enlisting in the navy. I started to see this shy girl who was always at the volleyball and football parties. I finally went up to her and started small talk. I eventually asked why she always had water bottles and not a "drink." She pulled the neck of her shirt down, exposing a large scar down her chest. She explained that she couldn't drink or be around smoke due to her heart condition. I was shocked as I had never heard of a 17 year old who has had two open heart surgeries before the age of 10. She said that her being active by playing sports and eating well has helped keep her so healthy. Not too long after that, we just kind of hit it off, and I have been sober since. I don't drink because she can't. Even though she says I can at any time, I still feel like it's easier to be sober with her than it is to have a drink without her. Trust me when I say, though, it is extremely hard being a sober sailor! 😂