Gunfighters share love stories on V-Day

Published Feb. 14, 2007
By 1st Lt Erin Tindell
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Love was in the air this week as Gunfighters and their loved ones celebrated Valentine's Day. Three sets of "sweeties" talked about how they met, fell in love and how they keep their bond strong.

The Bilbos

Senior Airmen Maria and Sherard Bilbo have been in a relationship for two years. The 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron airmen got engaged during their squadron Christmas party in 2006 and are expecting a little one in a couple months.

How did you two meet?

She said: "We saw each other at an airport on our way back from our 2004 deployments. He was on his way back from Baghdad, and I was on my way back from Al Udeid. We saw each other again at work in the 366th LRS every other day, but we didn't pursue anything till months later at the end of January 2005."

He said: "One of her co-workers told me about this young lady who was interested in me. I asked if it was the same young lady I saw at the airport, and it was. I didn't act on the invitation for a while. Eventually, we scheduled our first date on Valentine's Day. I ended up getting sick, but broke the cardinal rule by not calling to cancel our date. I tell her to this day that I was sick."

When did you know you were in love?

She said: "He left in June 2005 for a six-month deployment to Balad. I dropped him off at the Boise Airport and as he turned to walk away to go through security I felt like I lost a piece of me. Then I left for my deployment to Kirkuk, and we endured the sweat and tears of a long-distance relationship. Coming back and knowing that we had fought the fight of our life together through our separation, deployment, his convoy duties in Iraq, family issues and even death in the family."

What have you learned from past relationships to keep your bond strong?

He said: "It's important to take time from your busy schedule to actually make your relationship work. In the past, I cared about my work and my schooling too much to focus on my relationships. It took a toll on plenty of my past relationships."

How has your partner changed your life?

She said: "My husband says he's a kite flying in the sky, and I'm the rock that keeps him grounded."

He said: "She has taught me to enjoy life and to take time to breathe and relax. Basically, she brings the balance into my life. I'm the hyper one, and she is the calm collective soul -- like Ying and Yang."

Since being with your spouse, has your definition of love changed?

She said: "It really hasn't changed for me, just gotten stronger. Love is respect for that person and always having their best interest at heart."

He said: "My definition of love has never changed. I understand that love grows and branches out into different meanings. As long as the fire still burns, then nothing is impossible. She tells me we are a team and must always keep the communication lines open."

Paramjit and Steven

Airman 1st Class Paramjit Kaur, 366th Services Squadron, and Senior Airman Steven Crawford, 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, met more than a year ago. They currently work different shifts but still maintain a strong bond with each other.

How did you two meet?

They said: "We met at the First Term Airmen's Center; sometime in September 2005."

When did you know you were in love?

She said: "I truly don't know when I fell in love with my husband, but we broke up in December and I couldn't believe it. I knew I cared a lot about him, but I think it was the break-up when I realized my true feelings for him."

What have you learned from past relationships to keep your bond strong?

She said: "Patience is the big thing to me. Understanding each others' needs and wants is also very important. All this comes down to communication. We had to work on that. It took us a while, but I think all the troubles and the fights were well worth it."

Where do you see your relationship five to 10 years from now?

They said: "Five years from now, we're going on a honeymoon trip to the Fiji Islands. Ten years from now, we hope to be parents. We want to grow together as two bodies and one soul with each day that passes. We want to become better friends and companions for one another as we learn from each other."

Since being with your spouse, how has your definition of love changed?

She said: "I believe love is the greatest feeling in the world and I still believe that. Since I've been with my husband, I've learned two people in love need to have an understanding and patience otherwise the relationship will lose its passion. Sometimes when people lose their patience or don't try to understand each other, regardless of how much they love one another, they tend to stray apart."

Chief "Nix" and "Red"

Chief Master Sgt. Allen Niksich, 366th Fighter Wing command chief, and Master Sgt. Michelle Sloan, 366th Fighter Wing legal office, have dated for nearly a year. They plan on getting married in June and riding their Harley motorcycles off into the sunset.

How did you two meet?

She said: "In 1996, I was assigned as the defense paralegal at the area defense counsel office here. Chief Nix was the only first shirt who came to my office and introduced himself and welcomed me to the base. As a defense paralegal at my previous base, I never had a shirt come to visit. I thought that was awesome. I then moved up to the legal office so we would see each other on a somewhat regular basis as he would work with us for legal matters in his unit. I always remembered him to be an awesome first shirt; he knew what he was doing and was so down to earth."

He said: "Last year, when I needed legal guidance, I went to her office for advice and counsel. Her advice was sound and I liked the way she 'thunk.' Shortly thereafter, our relationship took a new and exciting path that we truly enjoy today."

When did you know you were in love?

She said: "I had always admired and respected him. We had known each other for nearly 10 years and just over the last few years hung out as friends, fellow motorcycle riders, working with the first shirts and Operation Warmheart. Then he changed it all up and asked me on Valentine's Day last year if I would go on a date with him. Our first date was incredible, and though I thought it might be kind of weird, it wasn't at all and felt completely meant to be."

He said: "When I enjoyed spending as much time with her as I did riding my Harley. Fortunately she has her own Harley, too. I knew I loved her when I would start missing her the minute I walked out the door to go somewhere without her ... or when I was thinking about her when I should've been paying attention in an important meeting. When no matter how much time we spent together, it never seemed like enough. The cool part is, after about a year of dating now, time spent with her still isn't enough. I just hope she never figures out that she is out of my league!"

What have you learned form past relationships to keep your bond strong?

He said: "I have learned the importance of balancing my career and family time. I was married for 26 years and didn't get that concept right the first time. I actually worry more now about quality time with my kids now than I did when they were small. I trust her wholeheartedly and know she is thinking of our best interests, as do I, in any adventure or decision we make. We concentrate on making decisions together (totally open communication) and spending much more time together than doing things apart."

How has your partner changed your life?

She said: "Though he may disagree, he has helped me to relax and helped me to stay focused on what is really important in life. More importantly, he has shown me that I can trust someone else to be there for me - that's him [smile]."

Where do you see your relationship five to10 years from now?

She said: "I see us living in a nice house, having decent jobs, enjoying our time with the kids, enjoying each other and spending quality time together, particularly riding our Harleys! Basically loving life."

He said: Happily married (getting married this June), both of us working fulfilling jobs (mine being the fry guy, hers putting her master's degree to fruition), and spending time riding motorcycles, playing tennis and enjoying our kids and their families. We both believe that 'a happy home is where both partners think they got better than they deserved,' and I truly believe that based on life's lessons. We'll both work and play hard to ensure that we will always feel that is true of our relationship."

New found love

Lasting Love

New found love

Gunfighters share love stories on V-Day

Gunfighter Videos

ACC News

Air Force News