They say love finds you when you’re not looking. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. The best relationships start with friendships. They also say when it ends, there’s more fish in the sea. If you love something, let it go. And never, ever get back with your ex. Apparently, we missed the memo about that last one. ____________________________________________________________________________ Henry and Sam crossed paths a few times in college, both technically “looking for love.” They first met through a Tinder match sophomore year. Sam was on the hunt for frat parties, and Henry looked like he could provide that invitation. Henry: When Sam walked through the door that night, all I could think was, “wow, she is hot.” From the start, Henry leaned into his humor. He told Sam in about a hundred different ways how beautiful she was. When he ran out of words, he pulled a friend over and had them tell her too. Sam wasn’t convinced right away. But Henry was determined. After a few months of friendship, she finally said yes to being his date to a party during winter break. That night, surrounded by his high school friends, Sam saw a more genuine side of him. He made her laugh—really laugh. She pulled him aside and kissed him. They dated a few months until COVID hit and, like so many college stories in 2020, it fizzled out. When school came back, they tried again. But neither of them were ready. Between miscommunications and a few too many late-night drunk calls, they called it off. This became a pattern—on again, off again. Always drawn back to each other, never able to make it stick. Sam: I didn’t see Henry after junior year, but I never stopped thinking of him. Whenever I met someone new, I compared how easy it felt to be myself with Henry. Henry: I’d scroll through Sam’s Instagram, debating whether to text her. Usually I stopped myself, trying to honor our decision. They both graduated in May 2022 and moved on with life. It had been more than a year since they’d spoken. Sam: After graduation, I had a remote job and ended up living in Gilbert with my parents. It was a lonely time. Henry: I was back with my parents too, splitting time between teaching and hitting the bars with my boys. Sam: By Thanksgiving, the solitude was overwhelming. One wine-drunk night, I did the thing I swore I’d never do: I texted Henry. Henry: I was at a bonfire at my buddy Stokely’s when my phone buzzed. I saw Sam’s name and shouted, “holy shit, you’ll never believe who just texted me.” They started dating again—this time as young professionals, not college kids. The chaos of the U of A jungle was gone, and they finally had space to build something real. Henry: At first, I was just happy to be having fun with Sam again. But after a few months, I had clarity—I didn’t want this to be casual. Roses, dates, surprise stuffed animals…whatever it took. Sam: At the time, I’d been planning a move to Florida. But as our love grew, I chose to stay in Arizona. In July 2025, Henry proposed at Papago Peak in Scottsdale—a trail they had hiked back in sophomore year. Under the morning sun, he dropped to one knee and read a speech about how their relationship had changed him: how he felt more in touch with who he is, how they bring out the best in each other. It was a full-circle moment, six years and a lot of twists after that first hike. ____________________________________________________________________________ Since that fateful text in November 2022, we’ve fallen deeper and deeper in love. Which leads us to why you’re here: on December 5, 2026, we’ll finally make it official—and throw a party just a little classier than that frat party where it all started (we hope).