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She said 'yes' ...

30 December 2011 Marcy Shortuse

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First Class Petty Officer Elizabeth A. Reid, USCG, and Gunnery Sergeant Curt Lee Ratliff, USMC, met in 2008 while Elizabeth was stationed at Atlantic Beach, N.C. Sector North Carolina in Electronics Support Detachment at Ft. Macon. Curt was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Marine Air Control Squadron.

They both bought homes next door to each other. As neighbors, Liz thought it was easier to cook for two rather than one so they became fast friends, and she cooked for him almost every night. In 2011 they were both transferred to Virginia Beach. Elizabeth is currently stationed in Finance Center, Chesapeake, Va. and Curt is with the U.S. Marine Corps Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group in Virginia Beach, Va.View More images >>

The two came to visit Liz's mom and dad, Peg and Dan Reid (Peg works at Parsley-Baldwin Realty on the island and Dan works at Gasparilla Marina). On Friday, Dec. 23 all four of them went for a picnic on the beach, and went out to the point by the lighthouse. Curt put on a little music and they started to dance. The next thing Elizabeth knew, he got down on one knee and the rest is history. He gave her a beautiful Vera Wang ring.

No date is set yet, as they plan to enjoy their engagement for a while.

Elizabeth’s sister Katie is also getting married this February 3. According to mom Peg, “ ... it’s gonna be a busy year.”