Our story begins in 2014 when Sam first moved to the Wahpeton area to resident teach while pursuing a master's degree in special education. Sam was assigned to work under Elaine Maddock (mom to groomsman Austin), a friendship started and Elaine began scheming. Elaine would often tell Sam there is a great young man, who is a friend of her sons, she thinks Sam would get along with wonderfully. Sam pushed it off saying she was "too busy" with school and settling into a new community. Matt went over to visit with Austin at Elaine's house when he was in town and she told Matt there is a girl she works with that he would get along with. She gave Matt, Sam's number in 2014 and encouraged him to call. He didn't because he was too shy. For four years, Elaine and a few other ladies who knew Matt and befriended Sam, would encourage both parties to reach out to the other. They had good reasons: both are kind; smart ; have a good sense of humor; love animals (Sam had a dog and cat at that time) ; enjoy canoeing, camping and hiking; and had similar values, etc. All good reasons to connect; except, Sam is stubborn and Matt is shy. Matt and Sam would interact occasionally at various bonfires, harvest parties or other planned events. They would remember their interactions with eachother, but again Sam was stubborn and "busy" and Matt was shy. Finally in May of 2018, Sam ran out of the "busy" excuse and Facebook messaged Matt to see if he would like to get dinner and drinks. For the next 17 months, Sam and Matt enjoyed canoeing trips, camping with friends, driving across the country, hiking around the North shore, getting a puppy (that's another story), holidays with family, many games of Cribbage and Yahtzee and dominoes, and holding each others hand. On October 26th, 2019 Matt popped the question while on a mini vacation to the North Shore and we are so looking forward to marrying our best friend on July 25th, 2020. We can not wait to celebrate with you!