People ask us all the time how we met and the short answer is we don't know! Our families have lived in the same area for years and we always knew of each other. Sami's older brothers are the same age of Zachary and his brother and were scouts together. We were on the same cross country team together in high school and Sami thought Zachary was cute. However, the Freshman to Senior age gap kept us from really talking to each other in general. Fast forward 6 years to the Eugene YSA's New Year's Eve party. Sami was adjusting to being home from her mission and Zachary was focused on nursing school. He recognized Sami from high school and thought she was cute. We spent some time around each other but Sami never took the hint that Zachary was into her. Six months later he got the courage to ask her out again and we've been together ever since June 24th, 2025! Well... sort of. Sami moved to Utah for cosmetology school about a month and a half into our relationship and Zachary started working night shift at the hospital. Long distance hasn't been easy but we've tried to talk whenever possible in our busy lives, relying heavily on texts, voice recordings, and FaceTime. On December 22nd, 2025, Zachary proposed at Smith Rock State Park while Sami had planned to be home for Christmas break. Best Christmas present ever! We are so excited to get married! We cannot wait to close the distance and start our future together in Oregon!