Colton and Sams story started out just like any other fairytale—in the midst of a global pandemic. Their first date was on the 15th of March in the year 2020 after each of their respective friends had convinced them to download a dating app. Colton was finishing up his last semester at THE Appalachian State University, and Sam had just graduated in December. He picked her up in his 98 Honda Accord, the floorboard filled with empty energy drink cans (Colton swears this parts not true).
After an awkward hour or so of small talk at Boones local brewery (at one point, Colton excused himself to go to the bathroom and Sam swore he wasnt coming back), they hopped in the car for what they thought would be the end of the relationship. However, on the car ride back to Sams apartment, Colton played Badlands by Bruce Springsteen, and the rest is history. They spent the rest of the night driving around bonding over music, concerts, movies, reality tv, and ghosts (the usual stuff people talk about on first dates).
Within that same week, the world quickly shut down. With every potential date spot closed, they learned how to find the fun in the ordinary. They played board games, watched movies, cooked lots of food, even watched YouTube videos to learn how to dance (didnt work). They would go on picnics and watch the sun set behind the mountains. In fact, it was after watching the sunset that Colton (very, very nervously) told Sam he loved her for the first time. Don’t worry, she said it back!
At the end of that sweet summer in Boone, Colton and Sam had to say a teary goodbye to each other as Colton started his new job in Raleigh, NC, and Sam had packed her bags to attend PT school in Philly. However, 500 miles turned out to be no match for these two. Through countless texts and FaceTime calls and many (often delayed) train rides back and forth, they continued to love and support each other through thick and thin.
Before they knew it, Sam and Colton were back in the same zipcode, with Sam finishing up her clinical rotations for school. They decided to take a trip in March of 2023 to St. Augustine Florida before Sams final PT rotation. Sam had discovered that on their drive down, theyd pass right by Jekyll Island, Georgia, which had its very own sea turtle rescue center. Sam said OMG Colton we HAVE to go there!
They set off for Jekyll Island on March 27th. Sam was smiling ear to ear surrounded by her favorite animal, and said this is the best day of my life!!! Little did she know, that sentence was soon to become even more true.
After leaving the rescue center, Colton casually said lets stop by the beach on the way out. And to make a long story short, Colton knelt down on the beach and asked Sam to spend the rest of her life with him (he actually panicked and said, will you propose to me? but potato patato), and Sam said YES!
Since that first date, there have been many I love yous, many tears from laughing too hard, so many board games, trips to the park to read, hikes, vacations, sunset and sunrises, cafes, bookstores, breweries. Theyve watched over 300 movies together and counting. Their love has even survived the ultimate test—playing each other in fantasy football. They have introduced each other to many new things over the years and have helped each other grow. They enjoy nerding out with each other about pirates, dinosaurs, bird-watching, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Revolutionary War, the history of rock and roll, film directors, and so much more.
They are so excited to celebrate their love with all of you on their big day, and they appreciate all of your love and support. They would not be here without many of you (shoutout to Sams grad school roommate Veronica for always letting Colton visit Sam in Philly), and theres no one else they would rather surround themselves with on their big day than you all. See you all so soon! <3