Chapter 1: "The Friend Zone"

Sam and Camille met running cross country at UMHB. Their relationship started with a great friendship. Sam and Camille began to feel something for each other but pushed it down, and when Camille said she didn't want a relationship, Sam's dreams were a little crushed.

Chapter 2: Minor Stalking/Missing Hints

Later into their wonderful friendship Camille actually caught feelings for Sam, but, as most girls are, was very sneaky about it. She began to try to drop hints like stealing his hoodies, and hats, sitting close to each other on purpose, etc. Sam did not pick up on absolutely ZERO of these hints.

Chapter 3: The Lake

After a while, Camille did not know what to think about Sam not reacting to the hints. Camille then invited her roommate and Sam down to her house for a weekend lake trip; a trip that none of them would ever forget. While down at Camille's parent's house, Camille's roommate began making moves trying to get Sam, but Sam had his eyes on Camille! During this trip to the lake, Sam could not hide his attraction and feelings for Camille because let's face it, guys aren't really good at hiding feelings for girls their close to. However, no moves were made and the friendship continued on but now, with a bit of a spark!

Chapter 4: The Kiss

After another two weeks or so Sam decides he wants to make a move and just got for it! Using his knowledge and experience of Western two-step and swing dancing, Sam invited Camille down to the creek to do some dancing and hanging out. Then BOOM! He spun her into a dip and kissed her! It was then that the friend zone was conquered and the relationship began.

Chapter 5: Dating

After a little over two years of dating, a lot happened in Sam and Camille's relationship and life. At one point they were hanging out way too much, got on each other's nerves A LOT and almost broke up, but thank goodness for friends and mentors! God brought certain friends into our lives that we now realize (in retrospect) seem to be divine appointments. Anyhoo, after over two years of a wonderful relationship, spiritual growth, and maturing, Sam knew she was the love of his life, and he wanted to propose!!

Chapter 6: Proposal....Was Interesting

Sometimes pressure can get to people and sometimes that pressure is caused by ourselves as well as the expectation of other people. That was exactly the case on the proposal day, in short, everything went wrong! Dinner reservation mishaps, hair, make-up, wardrobe malfunctions, and tears led up to the best proposal ever! Sam and Camille wound up canceling everything and just staying back and watching a movie and eating WAY too much ice cream. It was then, with no people, cameras, or expectations, that Sam dropped down on one knee in Camille's living room and turned the tears of stress and sadness into tears of joy and peace. She said yes!!!!

Chapter 7: TBD

Now Camille and Sam are planning a wedding while Camille is in her university Master's PA program, and Sam is a full-time youth pastor finishing his Bachelor's degree in church ministry.

Note from the couple: Life is stressful, complicated, and messy, but God is good, we love each other, and we can figure any circumstance out together. Shout to the Lord all ye nations, bless the Lord with gladness, and come into his presence with a song. He is deserving of all of our praise, our purpose on this earth is to glorify God and one other!