We got to know each other during our senior year of high school, when we both joined a local robotics team. We became good friends during our time goofing off in Sam's garage, and staying up late working on the robot before competitions. We graduated side by side from Placer High School in 2014 as valedictorians, and we continued to grow our friendship over the summer. When fall came and we separated to different colleges, our friendship only got stronger as we Skyped frequently and visited each other often. We made our relationship status official on January 18, 2015!

After 4 and a half years of loving partnership, Sam proposed to Melissa in San Luis Obispo, at Avila Beach during sunset. Thanks to Sam's careful coordination with our friends, the moment was successfully captured by some sly photography. After sunset, we then celebrated at our favorite Italian restaurant in SLO, Giuseppe's.