Natalie Morales

So John, like many Marines before him, wanted to start this journey with his high school sweetheart. But Lore wasn't sure Erin understood the reality of marrying a Marine.

At 18 years old, John chose the Marines, and Erin chose John.

At 18 years old, John chose the Marines, and Erin chose John.

At 18 years old, John chose the Marines, and Erin chose John.

On a beautiful fall afternoon in 2013, Erin was stuck inside unpacking boxes. The tree-lined view from her childhood bedroom in Tennessee was replaced with the sandy expanses and cacti of 29 Palms, California. By all accounts, she was still a newlywed. She and John had not yet celebrated a year of marriage. Despite a condo full of boxes, Erin was alone.

On a beautiful fall afternoon in 2013, Erin was stuck inside unpacking boxes. The tree-lined view from her childhood bedroom in Tennessee was replaced with the sandy expanses and cacti of 29 Palms, California. By all accounts, she was still a newlywed. She and John had not yet celebrated a year of marriage. Despite a condo full of boxes, Erin was alone.

On a beautiful fall afternoon in 2013, Erin was stuck inside unpacking boxes. The tree-lined view from her childhood bedroom in Tennessee was replaced with the sandy expanses and cacti of 29 Palms, California. By all accounts, she was still a newlywed. She and John had not yet celebrated a year of marriage. Despite a condo full of boxes, Erin was alone.

John's deployment at Okinawa, Japan, continued on for another few months, and Erin's new life as a 19-year-old Marine's wife began. If she ever felt isolated in Oak Ridge, life on the Marine base challenged her even more. Erin went from living in a house full of siblings... to an empty apartment. All she could do was wait for John to come home.

John's deployment at Okinawa, Japan, continued on for another few months, and Erin's new life as a 19-year-old Marine's wife began. If she ever felt isolated in Oak Ridge, life on the Marine base challenged her even more. Erin went from living in a house full of siblings... to an empty apartment. All she could do was wait for John to come home.

John's deployment at Okinawa, Japan, continued on for another few months, and Erin's new life as a 19-year-old Marine's wife began. If she ever felt isolated in Oak Ridge, life on the Marine base challenged her even more. Erin went from living in a house full of siblings... to an empty apartment. All she could do was wait for John to come home.

Erin tried to develop a routine. She went to the commissary a few times a week to pick up groceries. Otherwise, she spent her time watching TV and scrolling Facebook. She texted her friends back in Tennessee often. After a few months, John came home, but not much changed for Erin.

Erin tried to develop a routine. She went to the commissary a few times a week to pick up groceries. Otherwise, she spent her time watching TV and scrolling Facebook. She texted her friends back in Tennessee often. After a few months, John came home, but not much changed for Erin.

Erin tried to develop a routine. She went to the commissary a few times a week to pick up groceries. Otherwise, she spent her time watching TV and scrolling Facebook. She texted her friends back in Tennessee often. After a few months, John came home, but not much changed for Erin.

She was lonely. But one day, according to her mother, Lore, things started to improve when Erin made her first friend on base. Erin was busy unloading her saddle out of her car when she bumped into her next-door neighbor. Nicole and Aaron clicked because of the horses. Nicole Lee lived right next door to Aaron and John. She was a fellow Marine's wife.

She was lonely. But one day, according to her mother, Lore, things started to improve when Erin made her first friend on base. Erin was busy unloading her saddle out of her car when she bumped into her next-door neighbor. Nicole and Aaron clicked because of the horses. Nicole Lee lived right next door to Aaron and John. She was a fellow Marine's wife.

She was lonely. But one day, according to her mother, Lore, things started to improve when Erin made her first friend on base. Erin was busy unloading her saddle out of her car when she bumped into her next-door neighbor. Nicole and Aaron clicked because of the horses. Nicole Lee lived right next door to Aaron and John. She was a fellow Marine's wife.

And when Nicole saw Aaron carrying a saddle, she invited Aaron to come by the ranch where she kept her horse, the White Rock Horse Rescue. It was just a 40-minute drive from the Marine base. And with Nicole's invitation, Erin was immediately reminded of her favorite place on Earth, the writing club in Tennessee. She probably felt a pang of homesickness and excitement.

And when Nicole saw Aaron carrying a saddle, she invited Aaron to come by the ranch where she kept her horse, the White Rock Horse Rescue. It was just a 40-minute drive from the Marine base. And with Nicole's invitation, Erin was immediately reminded of her favorite place on Earth, the writing club in Tennessee. She probably felt a pang of homesickness and excitement.

And when Nicole saw Aaron carrying a saddle, she invited Aaron to come by the ranch where she kept her horse, the White Rock Horse Rescue. It was just a 40-minute drive from the Marine base. And with Nicole's invitation, Erin was immediately reminded of her favorite place on Earth, the writing club in Tennessee. She probably felt a pang of homesickness and excitement.

Isabel Megley is the founder and CEO of this desert rescue ranch, but she was never tucked away in an office somewhere. Isabel preferred to be outside with the horses and the people who volunteered to take care of them.