Through mutual friends in the library, we started sitting at the same table while studying. As we got comfortable with each other, we became friends, then quickly became best friends who spent time together daily. Our friendship is full of memories - small ones like grocery shopping together each week, or doing laundry at Sam's house because Alyssa's washer was always broken. Alyssa even convinced Sam to join the UWM Student Association. We did our fair share of college partying too, and there are some great memories of the infamous halloween party where Ruth Bader Ginsberg (Alyssa) had too much to drink, and Sam's birthday party where it was someone else's turn to have too much to drink (Sam). Looking back, we also had quite a few memories that sound more like a date than we realized at the time - like sharing a bottle of wine together, watching movies, or our first meal together at Cafe Corazon (now our wedding caterer).

After an entire school year of studying, ordering Domino's to the library, and growing closer, Sam had to leave Milwaukee for a summer internship in Wausau. On his last night in Milwaukee, Alyssa went to his house to do computer work and drink wine. When the night wound down, we hugged goodbye, knowing it would be our last hug for awhile. As soon as we pulled back, Alyssa went in for a kiss! Later she admitted that she had made plans for later that night in case the kiss didn't go over well and she had to get out of there. Luckily that didn't happen and this would end up marking the start of our relationship. The rest is history!

On a road trip in Northern California, Sam booked an excursion in Fort Bragg, CA. We went to an old train depot to ride "rail bikes" on railroad tracks deep into a redwood forest. We shared a bike as we wound through the forest. After taking in the breathtaking sights, we arrived at a stopping point where we would go on a guided hike deeper into the forest. Eventually, we reached a small bridge crossing with a wall of ferns behind it. The tour guide (in on the plan) asked us if we wanted a picture. When we reached the bridge, Sam got down on one knee and popped the question. Alyssa said yes and the tour group cheered! Then, we walked to a picnic area where the guide had champagne waiting for us to celebrate!