Chris and Sam had never met each other over their 4 years at Marquette despite having several mutual friends. 1 week before graduation, they both attended a campout in Rome, Wisconsin for all graduates.

While Sam was talking with a mutual friend, Chris joined in the conversation. Sam offered him her drink (a sour green apple Four Loko) because she thought it was gross. Chris gave her a hard time, and they ended up hitting it off.

They stayed up all night talking in Sam's tent while it stormed outside. They felt something special, but knew they were graduating and moving away in just a few days. They decided just to enjoy a few days together and part ways amicably.

After moving, they continued talking most days and would Facetime eachother to watch movies or listen to podcasts together. After a few weeks, they wanted to see eachother again. However, Sam was nervous about telling her parents she was going to meet up with some man she met a week before graduation. So she told them she was going camping with some friends (that Connie and Steve had conveniently never met) in the Adirondacks. She was going to be in Upstate NY for a wedding anyways, so it seemed like the perfect plan!

They met in Lake Placid and spent the next 5 days camping and hiking. Another storm hit, but unlike their first meeting, they decided to stay in a hotel to wait out the rain. At the end of the week, Sam was sure they'd never see each other again...but Chris had other plans. As soon as they landed, he already had an idea for what movie they could watch on Facetime that night.

A few weeks later, Sam decided to visit Chris in St. Louis where he had been working with Wells Fargo. They did a barbecue tour and crashed a wedding to see the city from a rooftop. While exploring Chris popped the question..."so, we're like official, right?"

Sam thought about it and said, "Sure, that makes sense."

Fast forward a few weeks and Sam had moved to Colorado to start medical school and Chris had decided to move back to Milwaukee to pursue a venture he had started in college. After her white coat ceremony, the thought of a long distance relationship was overwhelming and Sam told Chris that it wasn't going to workout and they should breakup.

Chris said to Sam, "Listen, I don't think this is what you want. Don't end something great because you're worried it may not work out. If you're happy with me today, then be with me today. If tomorrow you feel differently, we can deal with that tomorrow."

Sam thought about it for a couple of days and then decided to give things a chance.

Over the next four years their relationship consisted of virtual Olive Garden dates, movies, countless plane rides to visit each other, and long conversations about anything you could think of.

Sam matched into residency in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and they finally got to try things out in person.

Despite their nerves about moving from different time zones into the same apartment, their relationship grew stronger than ever. They realized that they never wanted to be apart again, and became so excited to build a life together.

Labor day weekend of 2023, they decided to introduce their parents to each other for the first time by having Connie and Steve come to Natalie and Chris's for a lake weekend.

Before picking up Connie and Steve from the airport, they stopped at an Apple Orchard they had gone to many times before. While scouting for the best picks, Chris asked Sam to marry him. She said "YES!" without a second thought.

No matter where life is going to take them through potential fellowships or new jobs, they know they never want to be apart again. They are overjoyed to take this next step in their relationship and are so grateful for everyone who has helped them along the way.

Things to Do

Hotel David Whitney, Autograph Collection