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Samantha and Michael first saw each other in March of 2016 at the Dune Saloon in Grand Marais, Michigan. Michael was there with some friends just to hang out and Samantha had made the trip with her family to see the Cabin Fever String Band, who was playing there that night. Throughout the night Samantha was going to and from the car parked outside. A few days prior, her dad's dog, Charlie, had surgery. Not wanting to be left alone in the hotel room throughout the evening, Charlie was sitting in the car and every hour or so someone, usually Samantha, would go out and start the car and sit with him. For anyone who knows Michael, you know that he can be shy. Through the entire night the two of them did not speak at all. It finally got to the point, after the band was done playing and was wrapping up, that Samantha went up to the bar and asked the bartender what Michael was drinking. After ordering a Blueberry Wheat and writing down her number, Samantha left with her family. The next day, Michael texted to thank her for the beer and the rest is history. They have spent the majority of the last five years in a long-distance relationship. Samantha living in Jacksonville, Florida and Michael spending the summers in different locations for work and the off-season in Michigan. Through two deployments and literally tens of thousands of miles traveled, they managed to make it work and on October 18, 2020 Michael asked Samantha to be his wife.

The best things in life are unexpected. Never in my dreams would I have thought I would meet the love of my life in my local bar! Samantha, I am so forever thankful for you taking a chance on me by buying me (the shy guy who never got the courage to go up to go talk to the beautiful blonde girl who kept walking by my table) a beer and leaving me your number. Our love has grown stronger each day; from the first date at Miner’s castle, to the first time you said “I Love You” while saying goodbye after what would be the first of many flights to see each other, to the 2 deployments overseas, to finally being able to live together. The day you said “Yes” was the happiest day of my life, but today, surrounded by our family and friends, blows that out of the water! Your patience and understanding have allowed me to open-up in ways I never thought were possible. You support and encourage my dreams and goals, giving me the confidence and determination to pursue them to the fullest. You tolerate my nerdiness for nature, especially when around big trees! You are the strongest person I know, no matter what life throws at you, you face it head on with your head held high. I love your kind heart, and I love your goofiness that never fails to make me laugh even on the worst of days. I know we can face any as long as we are by each other’s side.

I promise to love you in the mundane, through the extraordinary and especially when it doesn't come easy. I promise to never forget to order the side pickle for you and to always ask you what you want to eat even though I already know the answer, food…. good… edible…food! I promise to uplift and encourage you in all aspects of life. I promise to be strong for you when you are exhausted of being so strong. I promise to never give up on you or let you feel like you are anything less than perfect to me. I promise to always be your home. We have had many adventures over the past 5 years, and they have been some of the best in my life. I cannot wait to see what the future holds because I know it will be amazing as long as you are by my side, my best-friend, my soulmate, my wife! I love you Samantha with all my heart and I promise to show you, for the rest of my life, how much I love you.

Michael, Writing these vows was not easy. Not because I have nothing to say, but because there’s too much. The last 5 ½ years with you have been a rollercoaster, and a juggling act, with more challenges than was fair for a couple already trying to make things work while hundreds of miles apart. It didn’t help that those miles grew into thousands and sometimes tens of thousands. We came into this relationship well into our respective careers. Over time you willingly put your own ambitions on hold. I cannot begin to tell you how much it meant to me when you came straight back to Florida after your season was done. And you stayed! The last 5 years has simultaneously been the most trying and rewarding for me. The best part is that you have been there every step of the way. Even if at times only in spirit. Our love has literally spanned the globe! Too many times the Navy took me away. Countless underways and two extended deployments. I can only hope this recent one was my last. I cannot wait to start the next adventure with you…... and Eros! Heading into the final years of my service, I’m looking forward to slowing down. We’ve never known life together without the demanding schedule of a war ship, but I can’t wait to find out. I used to think I would always return to the U.P. after the Navy and maybe we will, but no matter where we end up, I know I’ll be home because that is where you’ll be. You are my everything, my world and my best friend. I LOVE YOU.

Michael and Samantha, long before you two had the pleasure of knowing each other, your families provided you with a foundation of love and support which has made you the people we see before us. To honor your families and all they have given you, you each will start by adding dirt from your childhood homes’. Just as your families have been the foundation of who you have become, this dirt will be the foundation of your new family. Your family that starts today. The love of their families has allowed Michael and Samantha to grow into the wonderful, and unique people they are. Love is the essence of human experience and emotion. Love gives us the firm base to grow. This tree will continue to grow just as Michael and Samantha create their life together. With constant nurturing and nourishment this tree, and your marriage, will grow strong and resilient. It will weather the challenges of daily life and the passage of time. With your family supporting you today, you are starting with strong roots, and will continue to grow.