It's finally happening!

Bryan’s Side: I remember the first time I noticed Sam. We were in tenth grade, and, as the class clown, I was always cracking jokes. I think it was our first day in Biology—or at least I remember it that way. Everyone was introducing themselves, and when my turn came, I nervously started rambling about The Lion King. I figured I’d be the only one amused, but then I glanced over and caught Sam giggling. She never giggles, I thought—she always seemed so serious. Little did I know, she loved to laugh. Later that year, one of our mutual friends fell head over heels for Sam. Before every recess, he’d ask me to “back him up” because he was so determined to win her over. Sam would just give him a polite side hug and cut the conversation short, leaving him frustrated and confused. Meanwhile, I couldn’t help thinking she was kind of cute. A few months went by, and somehow, Sam and I started talking. We didn’t have much in common—except for a shared sense of humor that just clicked. I’ll never forget her laugh. To this day, her laugh completes me; it’s warm and infectious, and it still makes me fall more in love with her every day. I may not have explained much in this story, but all I really want you to know is how much I love Sam. She’s my everything, and I’m so grateful she’s in my life. Sam’s Side: What can I say about Bryan? I was 16 when I first met him—this tall, goofy kid who towered over his friends and always seemed to stand out. One day in French class, he stood up and made a joke. I thought, “Just sit down already; you’re not funny.” Well, joke’s on me because, 16 years later, here we are! Despite my initial resistance, Bryan kept coming around, slowly winning me over. I started to realize he was more than just the class clown—he was kind, warm, and always smiling. His positivity was contagious, and he made me feel calm and safe. Eventually, we both confessed our feelings for each other. We were always hanging out with friends at USC, and it was there, on 11/07/08, that Bryan asked me to be his girlfriend. Fast forward to today, and he’s still that goofy guy who makes me laugh. Through all the ups and downs, Bryan has been by my side, always making me feel that same calm. Life with him has been so much fun, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. I love you so much, Bryan—my soulmate, my life partner, and my forever husband!