Brian and Sam met at Loyola University, where they attended college. Freshmen year, they attended a party at Johns Hopkins with mutual friends. Brian was dressed like a frat bro and Sam just figured that must be his style (and was later very confused). They spent the night with friends chatting about music and getting to know each other. The night ended with pizza at Maxie's and a long walk home to campus with a group of new friends. Over the next few years of their Baltimore adventure, the two became close friends... and the rest is history.

On Christmas Eve at the Fitzgeralds', Brian asked Don for his blessing (which was completely unnecessary as Mr. Minikel enthusiastically professed his endorsement SEVERAL times already). The Minikels made their first trip to Europe in February to Lisbon, Portugal. At the airport, Brian clued in Sam's sister Grace. During a tour of the breathtaking castle Pena Palace in Sintra, the two posed for a picture on the queen's terrace - that's when Brian got down on one knee!