It’s hard to put our story and love into words because, so often, they don’t feel like enough. That’s not to say we won’t try though. When Lauren and Sam first met, Lauren was still planning to move back to the East Coast after the winter was over. On their first date, they realized they shared a love of adventure and a similar sense of humor and agreed that, even if it wouldn’t be forever, they’d like to keep seeing each other. So they did. On their third date (pictured below), they hiked Devil’s Bridge in Sedona and Lauren will never forget how gracious Sam was every time she stopped to sightsee (catch her breath) and praised the views with her (even if those views were of the same desert they had just seen five minutes before). As Lauren fell in love with Arizona, she also fell in love with Sam. She found a job that would allow her to stay in Phoenix, moved here permanently, and faced the challenge of building a new life for yourself far away from your family, friends, and home. But through it all, she had Sam. He became her home. The next 3+ years were full of travel, meeting family, adopting 3 cats, moving apartments, and creating the life together that we have today. It all culminated in September of 2024, when Sam got down on one knee. Which brings us to today. We’re so excited to share this milestone with our families and closest friends.