Hello there

In fall 2002, Jamie and Bob were both first-year students at Temple Law School. "We met at an election night party," Bob remembers. She's a Republican. He's a Democrat. They had a great time talking and became instant friends. Jamie and Bob even went out alone a few times, but nothing romantic happened. It wasn't politics, but circumstances; they were both seeing other people.

Jamie and Bob ignored the little sparks between them until May 2003, when both headed to Italy to study at Temple's Rome campus. They started spending more time together.

Three weeks into the five-week program, Bob suggested they give their feelings a try. Upon returning to Philadelphia, Bob broke up with his girlfriend, Jamie broke up with her boyfriend, and the two became an official couple.

But Bob had another commitment: the U.S. Marine Corps. Through college, he was in the reserves. Graduation brought active duty, and in October 2006, Bob moved to Japan. "We knew I was going to be there for two years. It didn't seem practical to stay together," he said.

They broke up, yet swapped e-mails or talked on the phone every day. "We realized we were really good friends, too," Bob said. That January, Jamie flew to Okinawa to visit. Bob figured he'd take her to Cape Hedo, which he described as the Hawaii of Japan.

As 2007 ended, Bob, who is now 29, found out he'd be moving again: to Iraq. He went home to Levittown on Christmas leave and saw Jamie, 30, who is from Phoenixville. "We didn't make any decisions," Bob said. But there was a realization. "While we were apart, we were both seeing other people," he said. "When I was home, I was like, 'I'd much rather be with her.' "

In January and February 2008, Bob was in California for 45 days of training. Their time difference shrank by 10 hours, and Bob and Jamie were able to talk several times each day and e-mail nearly in real time. They soon were a couple again.

The Marines sent Bob back to Japan prior to his departure for the war. He spent part of March at home on leave, and then in early April, Jamie took her second trip to Japan - this time as his girlfriend.

How does forever sound?

Okinawa is not that big, so Jamie was not suspicious when Bob suggested they return to Cape Hedo.

They took a trail up to the top of a cliff that overlooks the water, and is the northernmost place on the island.

"You were willing to come to the ends of the earth, twice, to visit me," he told her. "I think you're the girl I want to marry."

They spent two or three more days together before Jamie returned to the States. A week later, Bob flew to Kuwait, and then to Iraq. He served in Fallujah as his battalion's judge advocate, which means he handled legal issues that came up both within the unit and during combat operations.

When Bob's tour of duty ended, the couple reunited in Japan, sharing sushi for Thanksgiving.

In January 2009, Bob was relocated to Washington. Now a captain, he works as an appellate government attorney.

It was so them

After the ceremony, Bob and Jamie walked under an arch of Marine swords. And yes, as is traditional, some of the six Marines used their swords to tap Jamie's butt as she walked past.

Bob surprised his groomsmen by putting their somewhat embarrassing nicknames in the programs.

Jamie had a groom's cake created for Bob in the shape of a Phillies cap, to make up for his being in a faraway place when the team won the World Series. (You better believe he watched! He set his alarm for 3 a.m. Iraq time so he could watch in the Morale, Welfare and Recreation tent on a generator-powered television.) The day after their I-dos, the couple took 73 of their wedding guests to the Phillies game.

This didn't happen at rehearsal

While Bob is a Marine, he works with a lot of guys in the Navy. At the urging of the bridesmaids, four men in Navy whites made like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. "They went up to the DJ, took the mike, and started singing, 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," Bob said. "It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen."

Awestruck

The last song of the night was Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'. " Friends spontaneously lifted the bride and groom onto their shoulders. Bob and Jamie grabbed each other's hands, and were paraded around the dance floor.

Discretionary spending