Sam and I are lucky to have incredible people in our lives that knew we would be perfect for each other. I remember it being around the 4th of July in 2017 when Carol Sessions (Sam's aunt's mom, and also one of my mom's greatest work friends) texted me and told me, "Sam's single. What's your number?" Sam and I talked on and off that summer, but nothing really came of it. I randomly sent Sam a snapchat in September telling him I didn't want to work that day. We went back and forth all day, and he asked me to go to dinner sometime. OBVIOUSLY, I said yes! Sam loves to tell our first date story... We went to Cowboy Jack's, and if you know me, you know I am quite shy until I get to know you. Sam likes to say I didn't say more than five words during our whole date. All of the questions he asked me were answered but I did not reciprocate them. Something about me kept his interest, and he asked if I wanted to get ice cream after dinner. I would never say no to ice cream, and he was handsome, so I wasn't ready for that date to be done... We went to Ramone's for ice cream, and he continued to try and get more conversation out of me. The rest is HISTORY!

Sam and I spent the MOST amazing 9 months together getting to know each other. Then, I got accepted to Graduate school in Illinois to pursue my then dream of becoming a Speech Language Pathologist. The next 15 months were extremely difficult for the both of us. I hated being 4 hours from home, my family, and the man who stole my heart. I made the decision to move back home and it was the best decision I've ever made for myself. Sam and I became closer than ever and spent all of the time in the world together! We spent all of our time going to different breweries, going to both of our family's cabins during the summers, surviving all of his time away hunting, and forcing him to watch Hallmark movies during Christmas :) There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to marry him.

One of the greatest stories I will ever tell anyone is the story of our engagement. I spent that morning going to the gym and then had plans to lay in the sun all day with my sister-in-law, Emma. Later in the day, Sam and I had plans to go to Carol's (yes, the one that set us up) retirement party. My mom was working that day, so in order to not have so many cars at the party, Sam had come over to my parent's house to pick up my dad and I. I hadn't seen him in a couple of days, so I wanted to give him a big huge hug, and he pushed me away because he was on the phone with his dad. My bratty self got mad at him and didn't talk to him the whole ride to Carol's party. When we showed up, we were the first people there, which was a little strange to me, but nothing crazy. We walked in and I said, "Happy Retirement! I hope this isn't a surprise party, because we're the first ones here!" Sam's aunt and uncle (Heather and Chad) needed help bringing chairs down to the pond for people to sit at during the party, so we helped them. We were standing down by the pond and I told Sam, "I'm mad at you right now. All I wanted was a hug, and you pushed me away!" I turned around and walked away a few steps and then turned back around to find him down on one knee asking me to marry him! I SAID YES! He asked me if I was still mad at him, and I said, "NOPE! NOT ONE BIT!" I tried to FaceTime my best friend, Mariah, but she didn't answer, and I was like wtf... Then, all of a sudden, I see her sprinting down the yard with all of my family behind her! Turns out, it was surprise party, but it wasn't for Carol, it was for Sam and I! It was the most perfect day ever!