After becoming the greatest of pen pals on the highly acclaimed Bumble app, we decided to meet in person at the Barcelona wine bar near Samantha's apartment in D.C. on Saturday, September 17, 2016. Over many hours of wine imbibing, we shared some easy-going conversation and even witnessed a street fight from the window seat that Samantha was able to snag when she was first to arrive (due to her punctuality and Mike's not-so-great city parking skills). As Samantha was nervous to walk home alone after the fight, Mike was a true gentleman and offered to walk her home. Conveniently, he was parked right outside of her apartment! After a fun evening together, we both decided we would certainly like to meet up again for another date. Little did Mike know, Samantha would be moving two hours away to Rehoboth Beach in just a month!

On date #2, Samantha thought it only fair that before Mike fell deeply in love with her, he should know she would be moving two hours away. Worried about this being devastating news, Samantha was pleasantly surprised that Mike was actually relieved that he would no longer have to tackle Washington D.C. traffic and would instead get to enjoy a leisurely drive every other week...for the next three years!

After 3+ years of many visits, FaceTimes, texts, and handwritten letters, it was time for Samantha and Mike to no longer be long distance and start making Mike's house a home...together (plus Enrique)! Many home renovations later, we finally were able to get settled in (without Enrique)! Everything felt natural, and spending full days together was comfortable and very welcome after so much time apart.

November 29, 2019: BEST. DAY. EVER. It's become "tradition" to have Mike's family up to the annual Rehoboth Beach Christmas Tree Lighting the day after Thanksgiving. "Tradition," because really it had only happened once before–when Mike and Samantha's parents first met! Anyway...for the second time, Mike's parents were going to head up north for the Christmas kick-off! It was all planned in Samantha's mind: Mike would arrive with his parents that afternoon and meet at Samantha's parents’ house for a celebratory cocktail before heading downtown. Watch the tree lighting, go eat dinner, go home. Well, Mike had a different plan–something he had been working on secretly with both of our families. Mike would head up with his parents and his sister, Melissa, and brother-in-law, Matt, that morning. They would grab a small bite and cocktail before heading to Samantha's parents’ house. Meet at Samantha's parents’ house, have a few glasses (or bottles) of champagne to calm everyone's nerves, and hope no one spoiled the surprise. During the traditional Firetti family “guessing game” (think “I Spy” with Christmas tree ornaments), Mike would pick an ornament that seemingly NO ONE in the family could find. On Samantha's third or fourth turn, she would get increasingly frustrated and just HAVE to find the ornament. That ornament would be a red Christmas truck glued to an engagement ring box. Mike would get down on one knee and ask Samantha to marry him. The whole family would be there to celebrate, taking pictures, crying, and cheering, then head to a continued celebration downtown with dinner and a beautiful stay at the Hotel Rehoboth, courtesy of Samantha's sister, Haley. Mike's plan was flawless. Samantha said yes (of course!), Mike shouted out with a big LET'S GOOOO, and we continued to celebrate at the house while calling our extended family and friends to spread the exciting news! We headed downtown to attend the most epic and memorable Christmas Tree Lighting yet.