Michael and Sam have a very far from typical love story between them. It all started on October 28th, 2015. Michael was visiting the beautiful Arizona State University while he was working for the University of Oregon football team. The night before the game between the two, Michael went out with some friends who were going to the game and ended up at a house party. While not the most professional move, it ended up being the best one Michael would make. Being late from a sorority meeting, eventually Sam made her way over. Michael was smitten as soon as she walked through the door. He “cornered” her according to Sam, but Sam couldn’t get over those blue eyes, mop of hair, and handlebar mustache. The two fell for each other instantly that night. They were such a good fit that our good friend, Kaitlyn Penrod, named their Snapchat group “Sam + Michael’s Wedding Party” the next day. Oregon also beat Arizona State the next day, 61-55 in triple OT. Pretty good weekend for Michael! Michael and Sam would keep in touch over the next few years with birthday texts, random check-ins, and a visit to Eugene. The two were finally brought together for good at Stagecoach Music Festival in April 2019. On the final day, Sam shot her shot and Facetimed Michael, asking to meet up later that night… Michael was repping a mullet and a few scrapes on the face (Sean Milligan tried to leapfrog Michael and that clearly didn’t work out). The two met up before a Jason Aldean performance and that’s where it truly all began. From then on, they started talking every day and got to know each other. Michael mustered up the courage and finally invited Sam up to Portland to meet some of his friends and their significant others in September and to of course… go see the Ducks play at Autzen. They officially started dating in November of 2019, and Michael once again had a mullet for this momentous day. There were two years of long-distance dating, which included many trips, Zoom and FaceTime calls, and missing each other. The two couldn’t be away from each other for much longer, and eventually decided to move-in together in Portland. Sam moved 1,000 miles and Michael moved 5 minutes into their new apartment. This was a place where their love blossomed and it allowed Sam to spend most fall weekends at Autzen Stadium with the Mueller family. She has now been to more Oregon games than Arizona State, and can name more Duck players than Sun Devils. Who would’ve thought? Living together was a new experience for both of them, but the two fell more in love over those two years. Eventually, Sam was ready to return back home and Michael was ready for a new adventure. The two moved back to Sam’s hometown in Orange County, CA and were lucky enough to live with Sam’s parents for a few months to take some time to settle in. Michael and Sam adjusted to the heat, high gas prices, and sales tax and have since called California home. On December 8, 2023, after a few stressful weeks planning, Sam thought she was just going to a great dinner with Michael but instead he got down on one knee and proposed to Sam in her parent’s backyard. She was shocked, but equally shocked to see Michael’s family had come down to celebrate. In the same month, they went house hunting and found their first home in Menifee, CA, just down the road from her sister, brother-in-law, and niece. They are so excited for the new memories they will get to create together in their new home. Michael and Sam could not have gotten to where they are without the love and support from friends and family, and cannot wait to celebrate with all of you on the big day!