Shae and Sam met during their sophomore and senior years of high school in Johnsburg, IL. Shae grew up in Johnsburg and Sam moved there his freshman year from Ohio. In a school where everyone seemed to know each other, Sam and Shae barely knew the other one existed. Outside playing against each other at the weekly soccer open gyms, they were complete strangers. After a few weeks of dates and late night texting, they were inseparable. Shae knew Sam was a keeper when he said he loves hiking, camping, and road tripping- some of the most integral parts of their relationship today. Sam finally made it official on 2/6/2015, which went something like, "I know we haven't really made it official, so wanna be my girlfriend ~officially~?"

It wasn't long before it was time for Sam to start college at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. Shae was still in high school an hour away, so they saw each other every chance they could on the weekends. The distance was unforgiving on their new relationship, but they persevered and learned a thing or two about communication on the way. The following year, Sam decide to continue his education at a community college closer to home while Shae finished her senior year of high school- breaking the distance finally. Sam and Shae both committed to pursuing their academic and athletic careers at Millikin University starting in Fall 2017. Sam planned to earn his B.S. in Biology and Shae her B.S. in Athletic Training. Millikin is where they did a lot of growing up- they learned so much about themselves and how to grow into their relationship rather than out of it. They became leaders on campus, made lifelong friends, and walked away with so much more than their degree. In 2020, Sam and Shae saw all the time at home as an opportunity to finally get a puppy together like they always dreamed of. They brought home an 8-week old fluffy and energetic border collie puppy, and they've been obsessed ever since. Dax is the adventure doggo they always needed! After graduating from Millikin University in 2021, Sam and Shae moved to Madison, WI. Shae was accepted at her dream Physical Therapy Program at University of Wisconsin-Madison and Sam landed an amazing job opportunity working for Amazon as an Operations Manager. Sam, Shae and Dax moved into their first apartment together in Madison and started their next adventure together. After a year in an apartment, they bought their first home together in Stoughton, WI- for Dax of course. As Shae finishes up her last year of grad school, Sam is moving onto his big adventure- Med School! In July 2023, Sam started medical school at Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine in Boise, ID. They are excited to finally move out west and start their married life in Idaho! Over the last 8 years, Sam and Shae have taken as many trips as possible, some of their favorites including Glacier NP, Banff NP, Picture Rocks National Lakeshore, Medicine Bow National Forest, Boise National Forest, and Volcanoes NP. They couldn't be more excited to finally be surrounded by all the mountains, camping, and hiking they dreamed of!

Sam and Shae had been talking about taking a trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore since high school. They finally made the trip happen last August. They made so many memories on that trip, but their favorite is the day Sam proposed at Chapel Beach/Rock. It was a few days into the trip when they decided to hike to Chapel Beach to swim, lay on the beach, and explore Chapel Rock. Sam set up his camera in front of Chapel Rock to take a picture of the two of them. First they took the typical side-by-side looking at the camera. Sam asked Shae to turn around and look at Chapel Rock for the next one- he ran over and got down on one knee behind her before the timer went off. He asked "Wanna get married?" and the rest is history! It was a simple and sweet proposal surrounded by nature- very Sam & Shae!