It all began with a match on a dating app. We texted for a few days and decided to meet up in Darmstadt, Carolin's hometown. I introduced Sam to Apfelwein, the Hessian liquid gold, and we went for a walk around the city. The conversation flowed easily, and we both knew there was something worth exploring. After that first meeting, we kept texting and made a point to see each other regularly. A few weeks later, we took our first trip to the Netherlands to see a singer Sam liked. It was one of those weekends where we got to know each other better, and we realized we really enjoyed spending time together. Next up was Oktoberfest, where Sam got a crash course in proper German beer culture. Sam rocked the Lederhosen but couldn't quite keep up with the girls when it came to drinking beer. This is still one of our favorite memories in Germany together! O'zapft is! Our trips continued: first, to Prague, and then a ski trip to the Black Forest where Sam asked me to be his girlfriend. But one of our best times came when we road-tripped through Scotland in a camper van. We had an amazing time, laughing and exploring, and it was during that trip we knew we had something special. We still talk about Scotland and the amazing memories we made there. We made it through long distance while Sam was at Weapons School, and while it was tough, it only strengthened what we had. When Sam came back to Germany, he surprised me with a trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the German Alps. After a perfect dinner, he asked me to marry him. It was an unforgettable moment in the mountains. With family on two continents, we're also incredible grateful to have spent time with both Sam's and Carolin's family over the last years. Travel times might be long, but it's so worth it every time! From that initial match to planning a future together, our relationship has been full of amazing memories and a sense of overwhelming gratitude we found each other. From the hills of Tennessee to beautiful Germany, we feel so lucky to have met. We can't wait to celebrate our love with those who mean the most to us!