For all those who haven't heard the TRUE story of how Jordan and Samantha met, here it is.

- When Jordan was working on the Hovde for U.S. Senate campaign, and Samantha was working on the Trump Campaign in 2024, they had crossed paths at a Republican State Convention in Appleton, WI. As Jordan saw one of his staffers talking to Samantha, he had to interject and take his chances. After countless drinks of Tom Collins, they shared a 2-3 hour conversation over their love for Zach Bryan, their families, and a long-winded discussion on how the Red Sox should've never traded Mookie Betts. This is when we closed down that little Christmas bar called Cleo's, and Jordan finally picked up on the fact that Samantha did, in fact, already have a boyfriend. For our grandparents' sake, we will skip over what was said next and just say Samantha started hating Jordan from then on out.

A few months later, Samantha had reached out to Jordan as she had some "concerns" with a few of his staffers. Instead of talking on the phone, Jordan thought a dinner reservation was more suitable. Well, he stood her up and decided to make various 3-hour phone calls in his parents' hot tub to her in the following days to make it up to her. In these calls, she truly got to meet and understand the real Jordan. She learned about his love for flying and about all the things that didn't go "according to plan" to get him here. And ever since then, they still haven't stopped talking.

(DISCLOSURE: There was no overlap of boyfriends)

The Proposal

- We went up north for the 4th of July and Samantha's birthday (July 2nd). Samantha's family from Cincinnati was coming up as well, but weren't getting in town until the 3rd of July. Jordan didn't have a card or a gift for Samantha on her birthday, and anyone who knows Samantha knows that is unacceptable. The day is getting longer and longer, and still no present. Samantha decided to mope on the couch as Jordan came in from outside, asking her to go for a boat ride. After much convincing, she finally gives in. Jordan backed his late grandparents' Century Arabian boat off the dock, and it wouldn't start. He is getting visibly frustrated, and that is when Samantha said, "You know, some things don't always work out exactly how you want them." She then offered to swim to the dock to tow the boat. Jordan told her no and said We are going to sit here and talk. As they were talking, the next-door neighbors started playing classical music on their speaker for the whole lake to hear. As Jordan puts it, it was a sign from God. So he pulled out his Red Crown key chain, where he had an engagement ring hooked onto, and he got on his knee and asked Samantha to spend the rest of his life with him. After asking him if he was "serious" a few times, he was greeted with a very emotional YES.

S&J

Wedding Day

Reception