The story began in 2019, when Sam and Theresa happened to enroll in all the same courses for their upcoming fall semester at CSU Fullerton. In one of their first classes together, they were lab partners in a geology class. Theresa had identified a sample as being one type of rock, but Sam disagreed and wrote down a different answer. When she asked why he thought differently, he responded. “Because I am always right.” Unsatisfied with his reply, Theresa went to the professor for clarification. Sure enough, the SOB was right! Surprisingly enough, they became good friends and spent hours together studying to complete their degree.

One Christmas break, Sam worked up the nerve to ask out Theresa on a date for the first time. Oblivious to the request, Theresa continued her conversation with him and gave no mind to what he had just said. After a few months had passed, Sam took another shot and asked her again only to have the same results from before. It was not until Theresa had received her geology degree that she realized how much she was going to miss the most annoying classmate from her geology courses. With the help of a few friends (Brayden, Ashley, and Long Island Iced Tea), she got the courage to ask him out on a date. It did not take him long to say yes.

On August 24, 2021, they had their first date at Downtown Disney at a bowling alley. It almost ended in disaster when the fire alarm went off just as they began to bowl. They downed their cocktails and hurried to join the survivors out front. After the false alarm, the date resumed, and a second round was ordered.

On September 9, 2021, they spent the day exploring around Newport Harbor on a tandem kayak. Theresa regretted sitting in front because Sam kept splashing her with ice cold seawater. She returned the favor by forcing him to do much of the paddling. After an entertaining day on the water, Sam asked Theresa to officially be his girlfriend. It did not take her long to say yes.

After they moved in together in February 2023, they spent much of their free time going on short camping trips around Southern California. When they were not getting chase out of the campground by hungry bears, they spent the time huddled around a campfire… watching Netflix on their portable projector.

On April 25th, 2024, Sam took Theresa to Orange Hill restaurant and popped the question in the middle of dinner. Once she got over the shock, it did not take her long to say yes!