Chad and Samantha first met 19 years ago at WestCove Lanes in Ladysmith. They had many mutual friends but had no idea who the other person was. They shared a brief conversation and went their separate ways. In the following weeks, Samantha decided to shoot her shot and got Chad's phone number from a friend and sent Chad a text message. They began a relationship that ended approximately a year later and the 2 went their separate ways.

Chad had 2 daughters- Jillian and Paige and remained in the Ladysmith area. Samantha moved, living in Eau Claire, Wausau, and eventually settling in Antigo. Samantha had 1 daughter- Dani and 3 sons- Seth, Andrew, and Nolan. Over the years they remained in contact, sharing brief conversations about their lives and occasionally strolling down memory lane and sharing songs.

In 2022, Chad decided to shoot his shot and messaged Samantha. After many months of messaging and talking, they became a couple in September 2022. The feelings they always had for each other grew and it made sense why their other relationships never worked out. After months of a long-distance relationship, in June 2023, Chad and his girls moved to Antigo to be with Samantha and her children.