(Samantha): Ovik and I first started talking online. After realizing we lived in the same neighborhood, Ovik asked me out on a date to a local bar. We had our first date on 2/22/22. I love numbers and jokingly told my girlfriends before the date that maybe this one would be different since it was on a special date. I planned to go for one drink and stay for less than an hour. We ended up talking for over two hours about all of the travels and exploring we have both done and our mutual love for the ocean/beach and being outdoors.

Our next few dates went the same way as we continued to learn about each other and figure out how much we have in common. We soon started hanging out every day and then spent the summer/rest of the year doing our favorite things together - going to the beach, surfing, hiking, camping, and traveling around the world - see our photo section for more!

As 2023 approached, I wrote down my goals for the year and taped them to the fridge, as I always do. First goal: "get engaged to Ovik". No pressure :D. I kept waiting for a proposal to happen and would paint my nails every Friday just incase something special happened over the weekend.

Ovik ended up proposing on September 30 on a sailboat ride while both of our parents were with us. Apparently everyone knew it was going to happen but me! I was literally speechless. We celebrated with our parents the rest of the weekend.

We are looking forward to celebrating our marriage with close family members in the Riviera Maya, Mexico on July 17, 2024.