Samantha and Derek first met in early 2019 in Toronto during a town hall meeting hosted by the startup Derek co-founded with a mutual friend. Their introduction was marked by an amusingly long, awkward handshake, after which life took them in separate directions as Derek returned to the US for work. Months passed, and in late 2019, fate brought them together as Samantha decided to volunteer at the startup to help with design and art direction. Through countless projects, campaigns, and late-night Slack messages, they discovered a connection that extended far beyond their professional lives. Recognizing something special in each other, they decided to take the leap and make their relationship official. In early 2020, amidst the uncertainty of COVID-19, Samantha and Derek made a bold decision to move in together. Their days were filled with baking, making Dalgona coffee, and exploring the world of VR. During this time, Derek pursued his dream of getting into a top MBA program while Samantha advanced her career as a product designer. In 2021, Derek relocated to Chicago, where he spent the next two years at Kellogg School of Management. Despite the challenges of long-distance, their bond only grew stronger. After graduating in June 2023 and landing a job in New York City, Derek embarked on his next big project: planning the perfect proposal. He orchestrated a private, romantic weekend in Toronto, filled with Samantha's favorite activities—workout classes, sushi, and a comedy show. And when the moment came, Samantha said yes! Having lived in four cities and traveled to five countries together, they’re excited to begin their next adventure in Italy, and they can’t wait to have you join them!