18 | She whispered, “I just met the man I’m going to marry”, an undeniable connection, a desert deployment in the UAE, a Las Vegas elopement, and a princess wedding, Tucker and Jess’ story is unexpected

Tucker, raised in Yakima, Washington and now serving as a U.S. Air Force officer, and Jessica, adopted from Russia and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, met during their deployment in the United Arab Emirates. When Jessica saw Tucker without his usual mustache, she suddenly felt nervous butterflies and commented to her friend that she had just met the man she was going to marry. Their connection was instant and undeniable, and when the deployment ended and they went their separate ways, they were able to hold on to love across the miles with phone calls, letters, and visits that kept their hearts close.
On May 18, 2023, Tucker proposed at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. Soon after, on January 9, 2024, they eloped in a private ceremony performed in Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas. This all happened just before Tucker was once again reassigned to another base. Recently on August 16, 2025, they celebrated with family and friends in a large Catholic blessing of their marriage in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Tucker called it Jessica’s princess wedding.
Today, they live in Sumter, South Carolina, where Tucker continues his Air Force career and Jessica serves in public communications for the city. Together they enjoy life with their dogs, share laughter daily, and look forward to building a family and a future filled with love, faith, and adventure.

More info and photos of Tucker & Jess at https://unexpectedlovestories.com/episode/episode-18-tucker-jessica-andis/
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