Ryan and Sam moved in next door to each other while they were students at UNCW. She admired his quiet confidence, while he thought she was stunning and had a beautiful determination. What impressed her the most was that he was close to his family and frequently spent weekends with his grandparents in New Bern. He appreciated her ability to whip up delicious, sweet treats that she would share with him and he'd hide from his roommates. After being neighbors and friends for a couple of years, they decided to date and see where things went without expectations. When Ryan took Sam to New Bern a few weeks later to meet his grandparents, she knew he was serious. Since then, they've moved across the country to Albuquerque, adopted a mini schnauzer, settled back in North Carolina and supported each other through it all. They look forward to becoming newlyweds and spending their lives together as best friends.