Before Sam & Court were "officially" dating, they developed a friendship like no other first. Courtney had met Stephanie, one of Sam's sisters, and her and Stephanie quickly became not sisters by blood but sisters by heart. Stephanie began to mention to Courtney that her brother Sam had come home from the Navy for good, and that Courtney and Sam had many similar interests like hockey and traveling, and that they both wore their hearts on their sleeves similarly. Stephanie suggested the two meet. Courtney's interest was slightly piqued and before they both knew it, Stephanie was playing matchmaker. After about a year of Courtney and Sam getting to know each other over many family dinners and game nights as friends, Courtney decided to make a move. Being totally discreet and not blatantly obvious at all... Courtney wrote the words "I really like LIKE you" on Sam's whiteboard on his wall as if she were a hopelessly romantic middle schooler crossing her fingers that the message got through to him. A couple days later, Courtney asked Sam to go to her best friends mother's wedding as her date which was about a month away. Between the love stricken note on the whiteboard and the wedding date proposal (that he said yes to), Sam FINALLY realized that Courtney was interested. He had been interested too, he was just nervous that Courtney was only a friend. Once he realized the feeling was completely and utterly mutual, he made his move and asked her on a date to lunch after one of her college classes ended for the morning. They met up at Capital Craft with nerves flying high. As the afternoon and the days to follow went on, they both realized there was nothing to be worried about. They had found a great love that started as a beautiful friendship and both could not have been more happy and lucky to have found their missing piece.

Fast forward two years and some change....

Courtney and Sam were headed to his Uncle's house for their annual holiday party that happens between Christmas and New Year's. During the night, the longstanding tradition of a White Elephant gift exchange ensued. Courtney had one of the lower numbers, meaning she picked a mystery gift first. She wound up with a lovely charcuterie board. Sam's turn eventually came, as he was second to last up to choose a gift. He immediately chose to "steal" Courtney's gift. To which she replied "We live in the same house!" and quickly became confused. She had no clue what was going on. In comes the matchmaker, Stephanie, and hands Courtney a gift. More confusion ensues. Courtney opens the gift, and is awestruck when she reads the words "Courtney Elisabeth, will you marry me?" that's placed on a piece of paper in a gold picture frame. Sam gets down on one knee (somewhat shakily after all that anticipation and waiting), and pops the question to which Courtney, of course, says yes!

We are so excited to share this day of love with all of our closest friends and family and to continue this love story with you all there!