Imagine the typical boy-meets-girl, girl-likes-boy, boy-and-girl-fall-in-love story taking place between two Sailors on a Navy base.

This is how the story of Shane and Kimberly Hutchinson's relationship began. On the 25th anniversary of their marriage, the couple revealed the secret to living happily ever after.

Kimberly, now a civilian working as an enlisted processor at Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Raleigh, got the surprise of her life when she went to work, Feb. 15. It was her 25th wedding anniversary. Shipmates, family, friends, and co-workers gathered in a ceremony room for what Kimberly thought would be a meeting with an admiral. Then, her husband, Master Chief Petty Officer Shane Hutchinson, told her the real reason for the gathering: in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary, they would renew their vows. "Surprise!"

As Kimberly prepared to renew her vow of lifelong commitment, memories of the first time she saw Shane played vividly in her mind. It was almost love at first sight.

"We were both OTAs (ocean systems technician analysts) in the Navy and we met at work," recalled Kimberly. "I thought he was cute. I wanted to get to know him better. Once we went on our first date, I knew he was the guy. After I got out of the military, we got married."

Shane recalled the moment he first saw Kimberly, as if the moment had just happened the day before.

"I remember being on the watch floor, coming off of mid-watch and this young lady was walking onto the watch floor," he said. "I was standing next to one of my best friends and I said, "Who is that?!" and he goes, "Uh, out of your league."

Shane's friends didn't think he'd have a chance with beautiful Kimberly. With patience, he soon proved his friends wrong.

"While we were working together, I would see her twice every eight days, when our shifts lined up," said Shane. "Over the course of that four-six months, we started talking and developing a relationship. She asked me if I was coming to the club one night. I had no intentions of going to the club that night, but since she asked I said, 'Yes, I'll be there.' We had our first dance that night, then everything took off from there."

Shane and Kimberly gazed into each others eyes as they recited their marriage vows and Shane proudly slipped a new diamond ring onto Kimberly's finger. It was a beautiful moment, symbolic of the joy they'd shared together over many years, but not every moment of their lives together had been perfectly happy. Throughout their 25 year marriage, the Hutchinsons faced several of the challenges endured by many military families today.

"It's challenging when your spouse is deployed and you're by yourself," said Kimberly, "and it's tough when you're the spouse at home and you're away from your [extended] family. It gets tougher when you have kids. The best thing you can do is build a support system where you are; it was always easier when I could meet a group of girlfriends and talk to them."

Shane and Kimberly knew when they got married many military marriages end in divorce, but they never let pessimism get in the way of love. The Hutchinsons knew what it would take to make their marriage work.

"We stuck with it," said Kimberly. "There were ups; there were downs, but getting in an argument and threatening divorce -- that wasn't an option. It gets tougher when you have children. The deployed spouse has got to be there for the one who's at home with the kids, and both spouses need to put themselves in the other one's shoes."

So, what's the secret to living happily ever after? According to the Hutchinsons, the secret is communication, appreciation, and perseverance.

"Communicate; you have to learn to communicate," said Kimberly. "Be there for each other. Just learn to talk to each other and you can work it out, no matter what."

Shane agreed.

"Sometimes the Navy leaves me no other choice but to be away from my family," said Shane. "The key to keeping the family strong when these challenges occur is to communicate. Kimberly taught me how to communicate."

Shane and Kimberly's appreciation and respect for each other and their children is a true testament to the strength of the military family.

"She was the one at home, by herself, trying to raise three boys and keep the family together," said Shane. "I think the main thing is to let your family know that you appreciate them -- not just on Valentine's Day, or Christmas, or on birthdays when it's expected. I learned early on that something as simple as showing up with flowers on a Tuesday in April, when there are no other holidays on the calendar that month, goes a long way. Just thanking them for who they are and tell them you love them. That's what keeps the family strong."

The Hutchinsons are their own greatest support system. It is through their love for each other they have been able to persevere during tough times. Shane can't imagine himself without Kimberly and their three sons.

"When I'm gone from them, I feel like a piece of me is missing," said Shane. "I could not do what I do without my wife and my family. Sometimes in the military, I've struggled trying to balance my career and my family. I learned early on in our marriage that Kimberly is my rock."

As their vow renewal ceremony came to an end, Shane and Kimberly shared a kiss. Witnesses looked on in admiration. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.

The Hutchinsons know military life can be tough on a marriage, so they have a simple word of advice for military families.

"Just stick with it, through all the ups and downs. That's how you make it 25 years."

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