We meet the old fashion way... on-line. Sam tried and tried to talk Derrick thinking it was time to go for a mature guy, but Derrick thought oh my gosh he's not even 21 yet. But then Derrick couldn't resist those blue eyes any longer. After chatting for short time Derrick soon realized this guy is way beyond his years and Sam thought that Derrick was so sweet and thoughtful, so they set a date to meet. Once Derrick saw Sam getting out of his car in that white long sleeve shirt, black jean vest, blue jeans, and cowboy boots he knew. Sam just could get past Derrick’s hazel eyes, gorgeous apperance, and great personality. After that first date on September 18, 2015 they both know, even though neither of them would admit it until much later.

Sam and Derrick had planned on moving to Minneapolis to further Sam’s education. Sam thought that this was the perfect time to make his move. Sam knew he couldn’t do this all alone with a big move as well, so he recruited Stacy to help. A few weeks before the move, Derrick was working late at the funeral home back in Aberdeen, SD and Sam was plotting. He went out and got fake white and red rose petals. He knew he had some time, so he wrote on some of the white petals why Sam fell for Derrick. He then hid them in the back of the Nitro in a secret drawer in the back end. At the same time, Sam hid the ring next to the car jack, hoping that the Nitro would make it the whole way without a flat tire. This was almost ruined when Derrick and Sam used the Nitro to throw away some junk before the move and Derrick saw a plastic bag poking out of the drawer. Sam’s quick thinking said not to worry about it, that they didn’t have time to deal with it. Derrick thought nothing of it. The grand move was underway, and Derrick almost messed everything up again. The original plan was for Derrick and Sam to go to the store after they got everything moved in to the new apartment and Stacy was going to stay back and set things up for the proposal. However, Derrick wanted to take Stacy to IKEA for the first time which almost sent Sam over the edge with things changing, but he never lost it. Looking back, it was a blessing in disguise as this gave an opportunity for Sam to set everything up and set up devices to record it all. Sam was so nervous for Derrick to walk in the door. Derrick opened the door and then shut it and walked the other way. Good thing Stacy was there to “nudge” him back in. Derrick was so surprised as Sam always said, “No proposal until after he graduates from the University of Minnesota.” Derrick and Sam couldn’t have been happier.