The story of the Kristen and Sam is a tale as old as time. It all began, as every great story does, with Monsters University (2013). A date set up over Facebook messenger, dropped off by their parents by the Target at the Milford Mall, neither had any clue that just past the FYE and Buffalo Wild Wings waited the person they would spend the rest of their lives with. Neither had a clue either that Sam’s dad and sister were waiting close by in case he screwed the whole thing up. Luckily for everyone, Sam didn’t screw it up. Many more dates at such romantic spots as Red Robin, Showcase Cinemas, and The Twin Rinks followed. The dates started sporadically, every couple of weeks, but before long the two would settle on a routine that would last the next decade, meeting virtually every weekend, to do anything from catching a high school hockey game to just watching a movie in the aptly named “Red Sox Room.” However, the couple was tested early. Shortly after they met, the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals met in the World Series. Unfortunately the Red Sox won (I wrote this so I get to decide on the tone) but it spoke to the pair’s compatibility that despite their passionate fandoms this had a negligible effect on them. While the sports gods continued to test them with numerous Fairfield Prep vs Notre Dame matchups at The Whale and various Villanova vs St. Joe’s battles, their love has never wavered. While many won’t believe it, both Kristen and Sam independently decided to attend schools one 35 minute train ride apart in Philadelphia, closer than they have ever been to each other but three states away from their homes. Through various twin beds, forced triples and squirrel-infested bedrooms their relationship continued to grow both as people and as a couple. Kristen excelled, majoring at Math and tutoring future NBA stars. Sam did whatever Sam does, mostly sitting around watching movies in his eventually condemned college house. The two returned to Connecticut post college, Kristen headed to West Hartford for work while Sam stayed in Black Rock. The pair decided it was only fair to meet in the middle, moving in together in Black Rock. The apartment complex they moved into was built on the same plot that housed the movie theater where Kristen went on her first date with Sam in his neck of the woods, completely a vaguely full circle journey. They say you don’t know somebody until you’ve known them for 10 years, which is why it took that long for Sam to finally propose. Now, next September, the couple is excited to make it official surrounded by their family and friends. Hope to see you all there!