Sam and Kyla had been acquaintances for a few years in high school before every really getting to know each other. Everyday before 5th period, Sam and his friends would gather outside of their English classroom, and Kyla would pass them to get to her history class. Sam always said hi to Kyla before 5th period. Little did Kyla know, Sam had a crush on her. In 2013, Sam graduated from high school and went off to college.

In October of 2013, Sam and Kyla went to the same high school play at Madison Consolidated High School. After seeing each other again, Sam texted Kyla. After a few days of texting, a first date was scheduled for a haunted house.

Sam and Kyla instantly clicked! After the best first date ever, Sam and Kyla became inseparable and quickly realized how much they enjoyed each other. After a few weeks, Sam asked Kyla to officially be his girlfriend on October 26, 2013.

In the blink of an eye, 7 years had passed!

Throughout the 7 years, Sam and Kyla developed a wonderful partnership full of laughter, honesty, friendship, and love. Together, they experienced amazing life events, and supported each other during times of loss. Some recent favorites include moving to Oxford, OH together, becoming Aunt Ky Ky and Uncle Sam to Declan, conquering nursing school and speech-language pathology school, and becoming cat parents to Cry Baby and Tony Everett.

Throughout the entire year of 2020 (and 2019, 2018, etc.), Kyla had been pestering Sam to propose. If you know Kyla, you know that she is horrible with surprises. She wanted to know every detail. She had already spoiled what type of ring she would be getting. In hopes to keep some element of surprise, Sam told Kyla that an engagement would happen between 12/24/2020-1/2/2021.

Sam had other plans. On 12/19/2020, Sam decided it was the perfect day to surprise Kyla and propose.

Sam and Kyla celebrated Christmas together with Sam's family throughout the entire day. Sam had let everyone in the family know that a proposal would happen at 8 pm later that day... Kyla was clueless.

At 8 pm, Sam suggested to Kyla that they take a ride throughout downtown Madison to look at Christmas lights. Kyla agreed, although it was a rainy and chilly evening. After looking at Christmas lights for a little while, Sam pulled over and parked beside the Broadway Foundation.

Sam suggested that maybe they should get out to admire the lights, but Kyla did not want to because of the rain. Sam handed Kyla a penny and told her that she had to make a wish. Kyla quickly threw her penny in the fountain and tried to walk back to the car, but Sam pulled her back and said "Ky, wait!"

At that moment, Sam asked Kyla to marry him! Of course, Kyla said yes. Heidi, Sam's sister, had been hiding in an alley and was taking pictures throughout the entire proposal. Sam and Kyla's families were hiding near the foundation as well, and came to celebrate the engagement in the rain with Sam and Kyla.

It truly has been a dream come true. Sam and Kyla are thrilled for the special day on 5/21/22 and to be #happilyeverettafter