Oh, how these two met... a classic boy-meets-girl story: It was a sunny and hot day in early May, 2012, and the Tour of California bicycle race (the biggest professional cycling race in America) was passing through Mount Diablo State Park for the first time ever. John left work early that day to watch the fastest professional cyclists in the world ride up a mountain that he's ridden so many times before. He was on an amateur cycling team at the time, which made him think he was pretty cool. His friends and fellow teammates put on their baby blue Lycra cycling kits (basically "matching spandex outfits") and rode their bikes partway up the mountain, where they parked and waited for the racers to pass. Meanwhile, Samantha was also eagerly awaiting this day. Being an athletic individual herself, she too could appreciate the what was happening in her very own backyard. Armed with a camera, Sports Basement coupons, and baby blue rainbow unicorn socks, she was in the exact place where John and his friends had parked their bikes. Ready to drum up some business for Sports Basement and perhaps make friends with the gaggle of skinny white men dressed in spandex, she was quickly integrated into John's cycling group. It also helped that she already knew John's friend and teammate, Julian. Nevertheless, introductions where made. John's older and wiser friend Adam helped set things up. Armed with a a gallon of beer that he stored in the bladder of his Camelbak, he poured a drink into a plastic cup. "So, Sam... Are you single?" Sam shrugs but also kind of nods, much to Adam's delight. "Excellent. And John, how long have you been single...?" The answer was "uh I don't know like a long time I guess.." which Adam already knew. He finished pouring the beer into the cup and hands it to John. "I'll let you take it from here."

Whether or not John "took it from there" is open to interpretation. Did John get Sam's number that day? No. Did he get a Facebook friend request? The answer is also no. But, did he end up wearing her baby blue rainbow unicorn socks for the afternoon? Yes. The answer is definitely yes. Ok, some clarificaiton... John and Sam were introduced, and they quickly had a casual and easy rapport. John wore black socks and shoes that day, however. It was in the 90's in the midday sun, and like 190 degrees in John's black socks and shoes. There's not a lot of shade on Mount Diablo. Poor planning on his part... Sam, on the other hand, not only wore light colors socks, but also had sandals. She's a planner. So, after some chatting and a few sips of Adam's Camelbak beer, John complemented Sam's socks. "Those are nice socks. My feet are on fire... black socks were a bad idea." "You can wear them if you want. I'm wearing sandals." Bada-bing, bada-boom. John took it from there. Or did he...

Days... Weeks... Months... over a year passed..! John's life returned to normal the day after that fateful afternoon: Bikes, beers, and bro-time with his other single friends (cough *Rob, Jonny, Julian* cough) Sam's life continued as 'normal' as well: Rock climbing adventures, backpacking solo through Europe for a few months, and other fun and adventurous things that John could hardly fathom. But then... It was some time in September 2013. Sam was back from Europe and working as footwear lead at Sports Basement, and John needed new socks... (Aww yeah. Wink. But seriously) He spotted her from across the store. Or rather, heard her (she was loud and in charge) John flagged her down. Sam didn't recognize him. He was held up a brand new pair of rainbow unicorn socks. Magic. John got her number (Yes!), and he and Sam stayed in touch (oh, ok). They started hanging out on purpose, and things began evolving into somewhat perfect combination of their previous lives. Sam joined John and his single friends for beers, and John joined Sam for a 24 hour trail running relay race in the mountains. Their lives were spiraling, in a good way, towards each other. And then, BEERFEST at Sports Basement Walnut Creek. The moment had arrived. The ultimate synergy of their previous lives. It was perfect. After a long day of beer, bros, and hanging out together, John worked up the courage to let his feelings be known. And so, glossing over many details, from that day forward there was John and Sam.

Sam, come look at this plant! It was a typical Saturday for us... we had breakfast, we played in the yard -- somehow John convinced Sam to weed the entire yard -- the ENTIRE -- yard. John likes to joke that Sam weeding solidified he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. They went on a bike ride around the Carquinez Straight. They went on a hike to get some clippings of a plant (we're very strange, we know). They worked on taxes -- or Sam did and THOUGHT John was working on his taxes, meanwhile he was actually making dinner reservations?! (John is 1) Not a planner, 2) does not make dinner reservations). The reservations encouraged Sam to put on something other than the sweatpants and comfy clothes she was lounging in - good job, John! As the sun was setting, John called Sam out to the backyard to "look at this plant" that they had just cut. To most, this would be out of character, but Sam didn't think twice about the question and headed outside. John starts with "so this thing caught my eye...." as he's placing this plant onto the ground, and dropping to a knee... Sam yields to get down closer to the plant, because this whole time, Sam is convinced this is about the plant!! Sam realizes John is actually struggling to get something out of his sock, trapped under his jeans pant-leg, a tiny...red...box. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT ARE YOU DOING" - Sam The rest is history. The most private, JAC & SAL-type proposal, so much love, so many hugs, so much shaking in joy and disbelief. We pop a very nice bottle of champagne gifted to us from George & Kim and celebrated just the two of us at a reservation-made dinner ;)