Welcome! Benvenuti! أهْلاً وَسَهْلاً

Although Sam and I first connected through a dating app in late June 2018, I’m still not sure how his profile snuck through my geographical filter! But good thing it did. Since we met in summer, I wasn’t working (I’m a teacher). One date led to another, hours passing though they seemed like minutes! It felt surprisingly natural. Neither of us expected our time together to survive the distance between Los Angeles (me) and Orange County (Sam), but as each week passed, we found we wanted to make it work. Over time, Sam would volunteer in my classroom, and I would try to learn to golf! Sam would try Ethiopian food, and I would learn to make hummus! Sam would become more adventurous, and I would learn to slow down (well…still learning!). We are so blessed by the differences that challenge us to grow and bring balance to our relationship. In April 2019, I went with Sam to visit friends in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Then in July, Sam came to Seattle to visit my family. Our conversations and prayers turned more seriously toward the future, and the distances began to seem longer, as we grew more in love. So…. On Christmas Eve, 2019, Sam proposed near my grandmother’s home in Los Angeles. I said yes! It was very special to spend the following days celebrating with our families, and we are immensely grateful. With joy and anticipation, we look forward to seeing you at our wedding in July! Love, Allie (& Sam)