Welcome to the first chapter of The Davies Herd.
These memories were originally written in the spring of 2012, just weeks before graduation from the United States Air Force Academy. Looking back, it’s hard not to smile at how little we knew about what was ahead. At the time, we were focused on graduation, a wedding, and a cross-country honeymoon. We had no idea we’d eventually navigate seven moves, raise four kids, serve around the world, and call Alaska home.
But every story has a beginning.
This was ours.
The Back Story
Sam grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in the tiny village of Allen. Her mom served in the Air Force Reserve while also working as a nurse, and her dad worked with fire alarm systems for the State Department.
Zed grew up in eastern Oregon as the oldest of six boys. His dad managed ranches, and his mom somehow managed a household full of energetic sons.
We both attended the United States Air Force Academy, although our paths there looked a little different. Sam arrived straight out of high school and majored in Humanities with a minor in Philosophy. Zed attended for two years before leaving to serve a mission in Taiwan for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He returned to the Academy and joined the Class of 2012, majoring in Geospatial Science with a minor in Chinese.
Following graduation, Sam would head to Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi as a Force Support Officer, while Zed would begin pilot training at NAS Whiting Field in Florida.
Before we were even married, we were already getting a glimpse of what dual-military life would look like.
How We Met
We first became aware of each other while working Basic Cadet Training at the Academy. Zed had recently returned from Taiwan, and at that point we were little more than familiar faces in uniform.
A few months later, we both attended a Commitment Dinner at the start of the academic year. We exchanged phone numbers and quickly became friends.
Our friendship developed in a way that still makes us laugh.
Sam would edit Zed’s papers, and Zed would ask Sam out.
Repeatedly.
Sam always turned him down because she was dating someone else at the time.
When that relationship ended, Zed saw his opportunity and asked again.
This time, the answer was yes.
Our first date was seeing Tangled in theaters.
The part our kids never let us forget is that later that night, Sam somehow ended up on a blind date with another guy to see the exact same movie.
Apparently, seeing Tangled twice in one day was less awkward than turning down a blind date at the last minute.
For the record, Zed was the better date.
After spending a few months getting to know each other, we officially started dating on Zed’s birthday.
Over the next year, we packed a lot of living into a short amount of time. We hiked eight miles in nine-degree weather, explored caves, ran out of gas on the side of the highway, and found every excuse we could to go on an adventure. More importantly, we got to know each other’s families, and our families got to know one another as well.
Somewhere along the way, friendship turned into something much more.
The Proposal
A few days after our one-year dating anniversary, we attended a Colorado Avalanche game.
During warmups, we were sitting on the team bench when Zed casually turned and asked,
“Do I have to get down on one knee?”
Sam immediately replied,
“Of course. And there has to be a cheesy line. And pictures.”
Without missing a beat, Zed took the camera out of Sam’s hand, handed it to the person sitting next to us, and got down on one knee.
The answer was yes.
Looking Ahead
As this post was originally being written, graduation was only weeks away.
On May 23, 2012, we would commission as second lieutenants in the United States Air Force. The following day, we would be sealed in the Denver Colorado Temple.
Instead of a traditional honeymoon, we planned a 60-day road trip across the country. We would visit historic church sites, quirky roadside attractions, national landmarks, and whatever adventures we could find along the way.
We were also planning three wedding receptions: one in Colorado, one in Michigan for part of the family, and one in Maryland for family and lifelong friends.
We were excited. Maybe a little naive. Definitely optimistic.
Fourteen years later, we’re grateful for every twist, detour, challenge, and blessing that followed.
Looking back, it’s funny how much has changed and how much hasn’t. The adventures that once involved two college students exploring Colorado now involve four kids, hockey tournaments, cross-country moves, and the occasional U-Haul headed toward Alaska. The details are different, but the spirit is much the same.
The original blog began as a way to document a honeymoon road trip and the start of our dual-military life. We never imagined it would eventually become the story of a family of six navigating military service, faith, hockey, and life in the Last Frontier.
But before The Davies Herd, before command, before kids, and before Alaska, there was simply Sam and Zed trying to squeeze as much adventure as possible into every season of life.
And this was the beginning.
The Davies Herd 