It all started on a group trip to Mammoth ski resort. Little did I know, Brooke’s best friend Des was on this trip. One night, Des was trying to introduce me to Brooke (who lived in South Carolina) over Facetime. However, being my shy self, I didn’t want any part of it. Oh you dummy… Fast-forward a month and I decided to host a party. Being a first time host, I didn’t realize how nervous I would be, which led me to drink entirely too much. Midway through the party, my friend Austin asked me to go to LA to meet Des and her friend (Brooke). I was pumped! Because I was “slightly” hungover, Austin and I got to LA around 2PM. When we got to the bar, I saw Brooke. She was perfect. She had two drinks in her hand, which I loved and decided to do the same. Forgetting I was still very hungover, I was now nursing my beers. About halfway through both beers, Brooke comes over: “YOU HAVE TO CHUG ONE”. Those were her first words to me and I loved it. That night, we were alone on the rooftop. It was here where we really connected and she told me she was spending the next week in the AV where I lived!! After a couple dates, on Wednesday, we were at a baseball game with her parents (yep, I met her parents after four days). We had the best time; however, she told me they were going to San Diego for the weekend and then she was going home to SC. Somehow, and I still don’t know how, I worked up the courage to ask her to tag along. A couple thoughts went through my head while driving to SD. “Sam, they think you’re a psychopath. Sam, you stupid, stupid boy. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? YOU’VE KNOWN HER FOR A WEEK.” Funny thing, once I saw Brooke, all of those thoughts vanished. In San Diego, we biked down the beach, drank mimosas, ate pancake tacos, danced at the beach bars, took a romantic walk down the beach and started to fall in love. At the end of the weekend, we decided to try long distance. This was the best decision of my life. Now, I get to marry the love of my life.

One night I woke up to a FaceTime call from my best friend Destini. She was on a Mammoth trip running around the cabin (intoxicated) saying there was this "perfect guy for me.” He would not get on FaceTime lol. It was around 3 a.m. my time in SC and I was half asleep (looking ROUGH) so I was honestly thankful! We never talked, but she sent me pictures of him and talked about how I had to meet him. I thought he was so cute, but had to laugh about it because I was on the other side of the states & knew this would NEVER lead to anything! In April, I flew to CA for Spring Break. I went to brunch with my best friend Des who was clearly playing Cupid. She had invited Sam to meet up with us & failed to tell me until that morning! Sam drove to Venice to meet us. He was holding two beers (looking so cute) & one of the 1st things I said to him was "you need to chug that"... no idea why he liked me. After spending a few days in LA, I went to visit my parents. I’m still in denial that Sam had been living where I grew up. We went out for a few drinks at a hole in the wall bar & went to a baseball game another night. I was spending my last few days in San Diego with my parents and asked if he wanted to come. Crazy, I know! I was halfway joking when I asked because I REALLY didn't think he would drive all the way to SD to hang out with my parents & I. Guys, he drove to SD & spent the weekend with us. BEST WEEKEND EVER! I’m almost positive I smiled the entire flight home. I knew we had something special after only a few days together. The next day, Sam booked a flight to visit me in SC. I think we both knew our lives were about to change. A few months later we began planning our future together, talking about moving closer to each other (TX won.) Sam planned the cutest proposal back where we spent that crazy weekend together in SD. Covid had a different plan, but it was a perfect proposal. The miserable “see you laters” are finally over. I can’t wait to be your wife Sam!