Like many modern love stories, we also met via online dating. After a long conversation on Bumble, Sam ultimately asked Mike on a date and they met up at Elixr coffee shop in Philadelphia the next afternoon on December 4th, 2019. The coffee shop was packed, so instead they spent the afternoon just walking around Philadelphia and chatting. Soon after came the second and third dates, where Sam and Mike quickly realized their compatibility and potential for a future together. The relationship began blossoming, and much quality time was spent together in isolation during the ensuing pandemic. In 2021, Sam graduated residency and moved to Columbus Ohio for her fellowship training while Mike remained in Philadelphia finishing his residency training. They continued a “long distance” relationship for this year, until Mike graduated residency in 2022 and moved to Columbus to be with Sam. They remained in Columbus through June of 2024, when they purchased a house together in Philadelphia and moved back into it. After a failed attempt to propose on top of Mt Fuji in Japan (due to severe weather - see photo below), Mike proposed to Sam on a beach in November 2024.