We both became aware of each other at a wedding in Summer 2024. Luckily, the bride and groom were James McDougal (Sam's cousin) and Abby Fellows (Lexi's childhood friend). After the wedding, Abby was adamant that she set us up on a first date, which took place in July of 2024. Sparks flew for Sam, but it took Lexi a few weeks to come around. We spent the rest of the summer courting each other casually, but Sam had a job that would soon take him away from Utah. The little time we had together was cherished and enjoyed, but it got cut short and Sam made the move to California to start his professional venture.

Sam asked Lexi to drive out with him and help him move to Bay Area in an effort to spend as much time as we could together. We spent the weekend moving Sam into his new home and throughout the weekend we chatted about what was next for us, but ultimately decided we would just stay in contact and let Sam adjust to his new life. Lexi left the weekend thinking she may never see Sam again, but ultimately we couldn't stand the thought of not having each other around! After 2 weeks of countless Facetime and phone calls, Sam came to visit Utah, and we became an official couple September 12th, 2024.

The next year-and-a-half was spent flying back and forth to visit each other, with Sam rooted in the Bay Area and Lexi rooted in Utah. There was never a dull moment - with many ups and downs - we saw each other as often as we could, and savored any moment we could get together! We've spent countless hours on the phone, burnt holes in our wallets buying flights, and moved mountains to get to see each other whenever possible.

After over a year of dating long-distance, Sam and Lexi were engaged on March 14th, 2026. Sam proposed to Lexi in the Bay Area in a very special spot for us in the Presidio, overlooking the ocean. It was the one of the happiest days of our lives. It was intimate, special, and the perfect start to our forever!