The year was 2023, and Shavuos was coming soon. Sammy -- on behalf of his shul in Charleston -- was searching for college students to come give shiurim over chag. After asking some friends, one particular conniving individual had the idea to suggest someone named Ariella come (shoutout Sabrina), despite Ariella having yet to actually start college (shoutout to shana bet). While said friend had ulterior motives, neither Ariella nor Sammy had any clue...
Ariella, with her backpack and dietary restrictions in tow, boarded her flight, by way of DC, down to Charleston for chag. Famously, Sammy's first words to Ariella were, "why can't you eat anything?" From that moment on, it was love.
After spending chag together, Sammy and Ariella both liked each other quite a bit. Naturally, they proceeded to not speak to each other for around four months. At last, Simchat Torah was approaching, and Sammy was in search yet again for people to join his shul to sing and dance! Thankfully, Ariella was actually in college this time and available to come! So, back to Charleston she went, living the luxury of no layover and a whole carry-on suitcase. After spending another chag together, Ariella and Sammy continued to like each other! Naturally, they still did nothing about it.
After Ariella came to visit their mutual friend two more times at Yale over the ensuing two months, Sammy finally mustered up the courage to ask Sabrina to ask Ariella out for him (at the encouragement of another friend, shoutout to Eytan)! So, on February 2nd, 2024 (one day before Sammy's birthday), they hiked together to East Rock and took a romantic tour of the Sterling Memorial Library (best birthday present ever).
From there, the rest is history, as they say.