They met on their first day of orientation at Gonzaga University as part of Small Group 14. They hit it off right away, becoming very close friends and attending every small group event together. Afterward, they spent many evenings getting to know one another on long walks around Gonzaga's campus. Being away from home was difficult for the two of them, and these walks and talks helped both of them feel more at home. They both knew it was inevitable that they would end up together and eventually, they started dating at the beginning of their second semester. Nine long and crazy years later, they are finally going to do the damn thing.

Because Vanessa is wicked smart she had figured out the exact day and because she didn't like surprises she knew the ring she was getting. What she didn't know was that both families had made the trip up to the island to have a day of celebration! After the proposal on Stuart Island (no relation), they were pulling into Roche Harbor Marina on a small skiff when Vanessa got confused. She had seen her mom jumping around waving on land. In a questioning, but excited, tone she said "That's my mom?!" The night before both sets of parents had tried to ruin the surprise by almost running into Vanessa in Friday Harbor but somehow it had stayed a secret. It was the only surprise Sam was able to slip past her and somehow with all her brains she didn't figure it out.