On May 12th 2021, the Jacobs softball team (of which Samantha was the head coach) was going to have to forfeit their first game of the season; unless they were able to find an extra player. A last second attempt by Samantha to find that player, sent out messages to co-workers asking their friends to come out and play.

Matthew had just moved to the area for work and was eager to get out of his finely furnished apartment to meet new people. Matthew then received a text.

"A BRO-MERGENCY" harkened his friend "we need softball players of great skill and muscle to help our downtrodden team." Matthew sprang into action heeding the call of his friend, and swiftly descended upon the softball diamond. With glove in hand and hiking boots on foot, he proceeded to make dazzling plays at Shortstop and homeruns behind the plate. This undoubtedly caught the eye of fair Samantha....

Samantha was certainly intrigued by Matthew's wittiness and humor (though he may have embellished on his homeruns). She didn't hesitate to ask for his email by having him texting it to her (two birds one stone) so she could include him in future games. After the game, Samantha was daring enough to text Matthew first to strike a conversation. The courtship.... had only just begun.

The date was May 17th, 2023. It was a warm and blustery spring day in Cassis France. Matthew and Samantha arrived early in the morning with the Fokin family for a boat tour of the Mediterranean shoreline.

As they approached the harbor, in the distance, Matt saw the location of his big moment. The spot where he would propose to the love of his life, Chateau De Cassis. Samantha was still blissfully unaware of how the day would unfold, even if Matt was acting unlike himself all day.

The family quickly and carefully boarded the boat and rode off into the waves. The skillful captain of their fine vessel weaving in and out of the beautiful Calanques de Cassis. These large imposingly tall white cliffs towered high above crystal-clear blue water where their boat had now dropped anchor for pictures.

After ~50 pictures, it was time for the finale, the ladies picture. Everyone took their seats, and then suddenly there were very distinct sounds of a "Boom, Boom, and Splash". "That was someone's phone!" exclaimed Holly. A panic descended upon the boat. Turns out, the phone was Samantha's. Matthew's heart joined Sam's phone in the cold blue depths of the Mediterranean ocean, 30 feet down. SUDDENLY, Bailey quickly sprang into action, ripped off his shirt, and buttons flew off in every direction. In one fell swoop, he dove into the salty depths going 10 meters down and came up WITH THE PHONE IN HAND! Furthermore, the phone worked, and Bailey saved the day.

From highs, to lows, to highs again, Matthew then prepared for the biggest moment of Sam and his life. The family met for a "Christmas photo", a clever ruse by Holly to have the family dressed to the nines before a wonderful 5 star dinner. After the picture, and a covert hand off of the ring between Kendall and Matthew, the time had arrived.

Matthew stayed at the railing overlooking the sea, trying to formulate the perfect cocktail of words to express his feelings for Samantha. (Meanwhile Sam was oblivious and didn't get the hint to come to the railing but we will leave that part out). Sam slowly walked over to Matt at the railing. They clenched each other tightly as a Matthew began to speak his truths.

Matthew gazed into the Mediterranean hue of Samantha's eyes, dropped to one knee and with ring in hand and uttered the phrase. "Will you marry me?" Samantha burst into tears and hyperventilation. Throwing the ring on her finger aside for her new dazzling engagement ring and exclaimed "YES"!

Their story as one, has only just begun. Welcome to Samantha's McAlister Era.