It all started on a Friday the 13th. In September 2024, Sam and I met for the first time when he was tattooing me — a spontaneous walk-in that turned into something so much more. From the moment we started talking, there was instant chemistry. I was struck by how focused and talented he was… and also a little concerned that he hadn’t eaten all day. Even though we had just met, I offered to grab him food, knowing he’d be working well into the night. Sam says he’ll never forget how I walked in, pulled out my laptop, and made myself at home while my friend was getting tattooed — a moment that somehow felt like the beginning of something special.

Since then, we’ve been nearly inseparable. Over the past year, we’ve traveled together to Sequoia National Park, Hawaii, Texas, Colorado, and even Japan — collecting memories, inside jokes, and matching playlists along the way. We bonded over our shared love of music and comedy, and have been to more live shows and concerts than we can count. But what truly brought us closer was our ability to communicate — even through the hard stuff — and the way we’ve supported each other’s growth, both individually and as a couple.

Then came the proposal. Sam knows how shy and private I can be, and how surprises tend to throw me off — so he planned something that was thoughtful, intimate, and so very us. I came home from running errands (pretty sure he was going to propose), and found our apartment transformed. There was soft music playing, flower petals and tea lights leading the way. He pulled me over to the couch and started talking about our first date and the electricity we felt — even bringing out a plasma lamp as a sweet nod to that spark. Then, with my eyes closed, he guided me into another room where a heart-shaped collage of our photos, more flowers, and balloons waited. He got down on one knee and proposed with a moss agate and moonstone ring — the perfect non-traditional choice that showed just how well he knows me. Afterward, we toasted and he surprised me again: we were having dinner with my sister, who also happens to be a best friend, and my maid of honor along with her boyfriend. It was the perfect mix of quiet intimacy and joyful celebration.

We share a vision for a grounded, simple life full of love, laughter, and the kind of quiet joy that comes from building something real together. Whether we’re out exploring or just curled up at home, there’s nowhere else we’d rather be than with each other.