Samantha and Ken first met at the Atlantic Bar and Grill in Seaside Park, NJ at Nick and Lauren Ferlise's engagement party. Ken has been a good friend of Nick and Lauren's since high school and Samantha has been a close family friend of the Ferlise's since she was a baby. At the special event, Nick's mom, Elaine, asked Ken if he was still single. Luckily for Samantha, he was, so Elaine decided to introduce the two at the bar. After Elaine made the introductions, she walked away, leaving Ken and Samantha to have a long conversation about things like working in New York, living in Hoboken, growing up in the same hometown, and more. Later that night, Ken texted Samantha after getting her number from Nick to tell her to text him whenever she wanted to come check out Hoboken (good move, Ken). Just days later, Samantha made the move and texted Ken to set up a date. He impressed her with a first date at Gemma restaurant in Manhattan where they bonded over fried calamari, spaghetti, red wine (that Sam spilled all over the place), and more. After their memorable first date, Samantha remembers sitting on the bus back to Toms River that night texting her mother that she met her husband. After a few more NYC dates, Ken asked Samantha to be his girlfriend on New Year's Eve in 2016. Now, nearly three years later, Samantha and Ken have shared many, many, many meals together, and are happily living together in their first home together in Lincroft, NJ.

Just two days before Christmas, Ken and Samantha planned a shopping and brunch day in Manhattan with Samantha's sister, Nicolette. After a fun day exploring the West Village, Ken told Samantha he made a reservation at Blue Eyes restaurant in Hoboken for the three of them. Before dinner, they were set to get a few drinks with Samantha's aunt and uncle, who (said) they had a party in Hoboken that night. After a few drinks at The Ainsworth, Ken insisted he and Samantha take pier photos in the pouring rain on Samantha's uncle's camera. After posing for a few photos in the torrential downpour, Ken got down on one knee and popped the question with a beautiful ring in front of the misty city skyline. After Samantha said yes, they walked to Biggie's Clam Bar, where Ken had planned a party with their closest family and friends to celebrate. It was a night Samantha and Ken will never forget!