Thank you for joining Taylor and I on our wedding day! We are so grateful to have had so many incredible people in our lives. You've all played such important parts in our story, and we can’t wait to celebrate our love alongside each and everyone of you. As for our story, there are plenty of memories to choose from (see the 2,000+ words below), which makes it difficult to decide how to share them. To me, our story is best told by recounting memories made together in the places we've both called home.

Taylor and I’s paths first crossed when we were grouped together for a campus golf tournament in the spring of 2014. As campus golf caddies - an enviable position - our jobs were to support the athletes by advising them on their upcoming shots, ensuring they stayed hydrated, and, if you were Taylor, talk to the boy who happened to be the other caddy in the group. We spent the day strolling through campus, finding common ground through our Ohio upbringings, and enjoying the laughter, sunshine, and good times that come with a Saturday afternoon in Princeton, NJ. I was wrapping up my first year of college, while Taylor was finishing her sophomore year. At semester’s end, we went our separate ways. Though our relationship wouldn’t start for almost a year and a half, it’s foundation - our friendship - had been set. I finally learned to take a hint and Taylor and I went steady in the fall of 2015. Our first date was on a Tuesday in September, and just happened to be on the evening of my 21st birthday. We had dinner at Winberie’s (a local restaurant on Nassau Street that we had both frequented), which would soon hold a more sentimental meaning than it previously did. The conversation and food were similar - smooth, warm, and cheesy. On top of being nice enough to agree to go on a date with me, Taylor had also secretly organized for some of my friends to join us for drinks at the end of our date to celebrate (my birthday, not the date’s success).

A few weeks later, Taylor met my parents, siblings, and the outlaws for the first time. It was a Saturday evening after a big football win, and we huddled into the corner booth at the Ivy Inn for some nervous introductions and some not-so-nervous invitations to the family vacation (thanks for being so accommodating, Ellen!). A short time after, I had the pleasure of meeting the Williams family for the first time following one of Taylor’s early-season, non-conference games. We sat down for another delicious meal at Winberie’s and all agreed that Taylor needed to get the ball more. Looking back, the after-game gatherings gave us a unique opportunity to become closer with each other’s families - something that continues to be so important to us today. Despite our schedules, Taylor and I always made plenty of time for each other, which oftentimes resulted in a shared Domino’s pan pizza (student discount!). Between themed parties at our respective eating clubs, long nights writing papers in the Whitman dining hall, IM innertube water polo battles, and impromptu visits to Stewart’s Root Beer stands that we could’ve sworn were somewhere around here, Taylor and I managed to get to know each other pretty well.

One of our favorite dates was in May of 2016, as Taylor was getting ready to say goodbye to Princeton. We took a day trip to New Hope, PA, a small town about an hour outside of Princeton on the Delaware River. So I’m told, Taylor had been mustering up the courage to say “I love you” for the very first time. After strolling through New Hope’s downtown, we stopped for lunch at a restaurant on the riverfront. In the middle of conversation, I told Taylor that I loved her dimples, and she immediately knocked the silverware off the table. Apparently, I had drawn out my “your” a little too long, and Taylor thought that I was about to say “I love you.” Our first I love yous came not too long after we returned back to campus, but, looking back, I guess I should’ve just went for it then! A few weeks later, Taylor graduated and made her way to Chicago. Our young relationship faced its greatest test yet, but we both did our best to make it work. Between the homecoming football game, women’s basketball alumni weekend, and reunions, Taylor was able make her way back to Princeton for us to spend time together. And, after football season’s end, I visited Chicago for New Year’s Eve, Taylor’s baptism, and more. Each time I visited was a chance for Taylor to familiarize herself with her new city and introduce me to her favorite spots in the West Loop, which turned out to work out pretty well for the both of us.

After graduation, I moved to the big city, and Taylor and I were together once again! Taylor, a seasoned Chicago resident of one year, showed me the ropes for how to live, work, and play. Living in Wrigleyville, we found our favorite spots - Guthrie’s, Michael’s, Murphy’s (out of season, of course) - and quickly made ourselves at home. It was our first taste of the real world together, and each day we learned a little more about each other and ourselves. Between riding the Red Line L to and from work and taking the occasional summer Friday off to catch an afternoon Cubs game at Wrigley, we became regular northsiders! In 2018, we both moved a mile south to the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It was during these two years that, I think, Taylor and I grew the most. Every day, Taylor did something more impressive than the last, and it made me incredibly proud and grateful to be her man. It was in LP that we stopped in for happy hour at Kelsey’s, cursed the DePaul U. kids for being too loud on weeknights, and made frequent walks to Alexa and Andrew’s (Taylor’s sister and brother-in-law) house for Sunday night dinners. Our neighborhood had become a special place for us, but would soon hold even more weight in our hearts.

In December of 2019, I proposed to Taylor. Like any big day should have, there was a lot of hype leading into the weekend. Taylor had been studying for months for part one of her CFA test, and had taken little time for herself. So, we decided that December 14th was going to be a day of celebration and relaxation. With that in mind, I started putting together a plan for our special day. According to Taylor, on the morning of the engagement there were a few signs that I was nervous for what was to come. We had made plans to have a breakfast date at 7 Plates Cafe, our favorite spot in Lincoln Park. After breakfast, I suggested that we walk to a new coffee shop that we had been wanting to try. Little to Taylor’s knowing, we (I) actually got lost on the walk to the coffee shop. With one hand holding Taylor’s and the other with a firm grip on the ring, we journeyed up and down the streets of Lincoln Park hoping that the coffee shop would soon enter our view. Normally, a Saturday morning stroll through our neighborhood is all we would need, but on this day we had a tight schedule to follow (more on that below!). We finally made it to the coffee shop and put in our orders. After drinking my entire large coffee in about two minutes, I held out my hand to throw Taylor’s coffee away for her. Taylor, confused by my offer, replied, “What do you mean?! I haven’t even taken a sip yet!” I wanted to make sure her hands were free when I popped the question, but our morning jaunt had thrown a wrench into that. We decided to head back to her apartment before we began our day, and I suggested we walk through Oz Park, one of our favorite places in the neighborhood. Little did Taylor know, I had arranged for my brother, Matthew, and sister-in-law, Paige, to be there to capture the big moment.

The two of us (Taylor with coffee in hand) slowly made our way to the park. As smoothly as I could, I suggested that Taylor throw her coffee out in a nearby dumpster, but she insisted on drinking at least half of the drink she had just ordered ten minutes ago. So, we kept moving. We talked about some of our favorite memories and all of the things we hoped to be able to do together. It was our last conversation of that chapter of our lives, and it could not have been a better finish. Halfway through the park, we veered off the path and into an open field (Taylor says this was when her suspicions were confirmed). We laughed together when we noticed that a man who looked like my brother was standing fifty or so yards away taking pictures of us. Finally, we made it to what I deemed as an appropriate spot, and I got down on one knee. I had thought about how I was going to ask, but, to be honest, I really have no idea what I even said. All I know is that, at the end of it all, Taylor said yes and we kissed. We hugged each other, so incredibly happy and excited to officially begin our life together. Now, whenever we walk through a park, Taylor asks, “Are you going to propose to me?”

Over-the-moon and still realizing what had just happened, we hugged our photographers (Paige and Matthew). Taylor, surprised that they were even there and unaware of my plans, asked what we should do next. I suggested that we should all walk a few blocks north to the Guman’s to “break” the news. Little did Taylor know, Alexa and I had arranged a few more surprises for our special day. When we arrived, Taylor was surprised by our families who had traveled from all over to help us celebrate! After champagne toasts and lots of pictures with the Guman babies, I suggested to the group that we walk down to one of our favorite Lincoln Park spots, Parson’s. Much to Taylor’s surprise (again), we were greeted with cheers from our Chicago crew of friends and a marquee sign on the wall that read “Congrats Taylor & Sam!” After an afternoon of beer pong and good times, we then went to dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant in the city, Sapori, with our families. After drinking all of the red wine and eating all of the cheesy bread that we could, we headed back to Alexa and Andrew’s for a nightcap (and a little Christmas karaoke). The next day, we wrapped up the memorable weekend with brunch alongside our families at Theatre on the Lake. A couple months later, our world (well the whole world, really) would be rocked by COVID-19, which kept us from our goodbye tour of Chicago. But, looking back, for Taylor and I that weekend in December was the perfect memory of our time in Chicago - celebrating our love, spending time with our families and friends, and eating and drinking well.

The next chapter of our life will be celebrated in Columbus. As of now, there’s not a ton to add here! I started law school in the Fall and Taylor continues to work remotely. We’re fairly new to the city, but seemingly everyday find a new store, restaurant, or neighborhood that makes us feel a little more like we’re home. We are so excited to be back in our home state of Ohio and to be closer to both of our families, and can’t wait to add more to this chapter. We know that so many great memories will be created here in Columbus, and, most importantly, we are thankful that you all are able to be here to help celebrate our marriage. Thanks for reading (and for being a part of our story), and see you in July 2021!