#AlwaysMarryRich

We were both transfer students at SUNY Cortland living across the hall from each other. The day was August 24th, 2015 (some of you may know that date as Sam's birthday...her 21st to be exact). We were all in our respective dorm rooms, doing what college kids do on their first night. Sam and her roommates open the door to 4 boys across the hall doing the same exact thing. Naturally, the girls invited the boys in and from there on we became a big group of friends. Matt and Sam exchanged little to no words on the first night but as time went on they realized they clicked the most! They spent the next year becoming best friends. Helping each other through exes, studying together (aka Sam writing Matt's papers), going on lunch dates, and more. They were never more than friends until the last week of school when Matt got enough liquid courage in him to kiss Sam! Sam was completely taken aback but also swooned from the minute it happened. Matt- being a college boy- didn't know what he was in for when he kissed Sam. But Sam spent the next 14 months convincing Matt they should date. Sam would always say to Matt "My dad would love you and I'm pretty sure I can win your parents over so that should be enough!" Eventually, Matt agreed and Sam was right, they were perfect for each other! By the way... While they were best friends, Sam and Matt made a pact that if they couldn't find anyone else to marry by 2025 that they would marry each other.... we promise we really really love each other now :)

Sam doesn't love flowers, but something about Sunflowers brightens her world. Not to mention, as many of you know, Sunflowers are a big part of the Colette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign that her family has been part of for years in memory of Sam's mom, Maryann. We tend to spend time on the North Fork in the Summers, usually at the vineyards with friends. We tried to go to the Sunflower fields many times before but we always missed their peak season. So when our friends said they wanted to plan a day out east and visit the Sunflower fields, Sam was all in! We don't know how Sam didn't notice, but it was all of our favorite people in one place! 2 of Sam's best friends and 2 of Matt's- our worlds collided! Sam's best friend, Alexa kept making a big deal about her outfit. She face-timed Sam to see what she was wearing (which isn't unusual) and panicked when she saw Sam in a Beach Boys T shirt and jean shorts. Alexa asked two different times if she had anything "nicer" and Matt suggested Sam wear one of her "nice" dresses. Not sure how she even let those comments slide! We went to a few wineries and ended at the sunflower fields taking pictures and the next thing Sam knew, he was on one knee and the rest is history!