“I have found the one with whom my soul loves.” Song of Soloman 3:4

Sam and I are both from the pacific northwest! We met working together during summer at a YoungLife camp in central Oregon, and “from what he says” he turned over to one of his good friends after we interacted for the first time and said “I’m gonna marry Heather one day, you just wait and see!” We were just friends during the summer and for a while there after and then about 4 ish months later, I had moved to Arizona to continue working for Younglife. Sam and I continued to talk and then became pen pals! We were smitten and flirtatious right off the bat! (No surprise there!) Then February of 2017, he had asked if I would be his plus one to his friends’ wedding, and of course I couldn’t resist, so I flew up for a long weekend and that was our first date! So bold of us. The drive back from the date we both knew there was something there. We had our first kiss on February 23rd, and then about 24 hours later he asked me to be his girlfriend. I said no... Then about another 24 hours later on the very early hours of February 26th, he asked me again, and I said yes! We dated long distance for about a year, and then Sam popped the question! A year later, we find ourselves here, dating 2 years, engaged for a little over 1, and finally tying the knot! Those who have been around us throughout our relationship know that it hasn’t been easy for us and we have struggled a lot, as anyone who has been involved in a long distance relationship, you know how hard it can be. Sam and I feel very lucky to come out of this on the otherside and we are just ready to be husband and wife! We love all and care about everyone that has poured into us as a couple and we love that so many care and love us so deeply. Thank you to you guys so much!! We couldn’t have made it without your constant support and your faithful guidance to keep ourselves Christ centered in our relationship! We thank you and are grateful!

I knew the day I met Heather that I wanted to marry her. I knew the day we started dating I loved her. When you know you know! I knew what I knew and I wanted to make it real. One night we were FaceTiming and she had said “can we look at rings” not knowing that I had already picked one out for her. After that point I knew I had to talk to her best friend about ideas, because if you know me I’m not that creative.. we came up with a great idea, I was going to take her on a hike for her birthday and I was going to do it at the top of the hike. I had it all planned out, ready to go in my head, feeling great about it! A couple days before the big day, we were on the phone talking about different things, she had brought up and said “I feel like if you are going to propose to me your going to do it in my birthday”... So now I had to think of a new plan. Couldn’t think of anything! I got on the plane to Arizona without a plan, freaking out. She picked me up from the airport on December 28th, the ring is in my pocket just sitting there, waiting to be put on her finger. After running a couple of errands we finally get back to her house and we are standing on the front porch and before we go in I stop her, look her in the eyes and say “Heather I am so proud of you. Everything that you have accomplish in this last year has made me so proud and so blessed to be your person. I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else, you are the love of my life, my forever camp crush, Will you marry me?” BAM she said “Are you serious? Yes of course!” It isn’t your typical proposal, it wasn’t planned well, it happened the day before her birthday on her front porch. It was crazy, but it was simple and a surprise (which is very hard to do to her) and it was us and honestly I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I get to marry my best friend! And am so thankful for those who have supported me and us from the beginning!