I went into our local Biggby Coffee Store (Grand Rapids) for an in-person interview. I saw Sam behind the counter, working on a coffee order. I thought he was cute as he greeted me while I waited for the manager. I got the job, and after working at Biggby for 6 months, we started hanging out and talking. He officially asked me out. Our first date was on January 26, 2020, and the rest is history.

We were up north with Sam's family for their annual August Arcadia Trip. We decided to take a short drive and camping trip to Petoskey State Park. Sam was eager to walk the beach first thing the next morning. As we walked the shoreline, he knelt on one knee and pulled out a Ring POP. Sam told me the ring was still in the mail, but he couldn't wait! He asked if I would marry him, and I said, "Yes." We spent the rest of the morning walking downtown Petoskey and Charlevoix. We drove back to his family's campsite, and he surprised me by having my parents and sister drive up to Arcadia to congratulate us! Later that evening, we took some photos on the beach at sunset.