Jim's Place Grille

Rehearsal Dinner

Heartwood Hall

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Let's face it, the world has changed, and those traditional ways of meeting people are just about out of reach, maybe even a little creepy. So, Samantha and Stephen met on a dating app, which they aren't excited to say that's how they met, but they probably wouldn't have met otherwise. At the end of the day let's just be happy they found each other ;)&nbsp;They first matched on Bumble right before Thanksgiving of 2020 and their conversations were non-stop, paragraph after paragraph. It was easy for both to see that the connection was instant, effortless and natural. They began dating over the next several months and as the two spent more time with each other they grew closer and began to fall in Love. A big milestone along this journey was when Samantha met Stephen's kids, Carter and Ella, for the first time which was during Easter 2021. She planned all kinds of things for them that day like dying eggs and an Easter egg hunt. This showed Stephen in an undeniable way what he considers to be Samantha's best quality; that is her unconditional and gregarious love for others. The day was a complete success and Stephen's kids immediately approved.&nbsp;Over the next several months many amazing memories were made traveling together, spending time with friends and family and just getting to know each other through and through. The two found that they have both lived very different lives growing up. Stephen grew up in a military family and moved around his whole life and then served time himself in the U.S. Army. Shortly after his time in service he attended college to pursue his passion for health and fitness by becoming a registered dietitian. Samantha was born and raised in Collierville, Tennessee and pursued her passion in healthcare by becoming a Neonatal ICU nurse after graduating from Loewenberg College of Nursing in Memphis, TN. Also, during their time spent getting to know each other they found that one of their biggest shared interests was traveling. They have now been on 18+ trips together and have a special chest that they store keepsakes in from all their trips, dates and any other special moments together.&nbsp;In August of 2022 Stephen surprised and proposed to Samantha on her birthday in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida on a family vacation with Stephen's children. Once they returned from the trip Stephen surprised her again with all her close friends and family to celebrate the engagement.&nbsp;In recent times Samantha's dream of becoming a traveling nurse has come true and Stephen now travels with her after he finished obtaining his master's degree in Nutrition Science. The two plan to travel together over the next few years. As Samantha works as a NICU nurse all over the country Stephen plans to dedicate time to establishing his own private practice.&nbsp;Once the traveling is finally over, the two plan to choose where they want to settle down so they can plant some roots, buy their first home together and continue to write even more beautiful chapters in this wonderful Love story.&nbsp;The two are very excited about their upcoming wedding ceremony and can't wait to share the experience with all their friends and family. They hope to see all of you there to wish them a happily ever after.&nbsp;

Our Love Story

Our Story

Photos

Lexi was my very first best friend. I moved in across the street from her when I was in first grade and we have been like sisters ever since! She now lives in North Carolina with her boyfriend, Christopher and is pursuing her Childlife career.

Lexi Meador

Bailee is my cousin that is the closest to me in age and although she has always lived across the country from me, we have always been super close! She is now living in Montana with her boyfriend, but hoping to move back to the south soon to be closer to family.

Bailee Rice

Annie and I met in our 6th grade homeroom class. We got the opportunity to live together in college, which was a dream come true to us! We had so much fun working together at Stoney River! She  lives in Memphis with her fiancé, Carter and is now pursuing her dream as a teacher.

Annie Diroff

Hannah and I started to get super close in 7th grade. We also grew up going to church together at Central Church. She went to UT Knoxville for college but when she would come home for summers, we would get to work together at Stoney River. I was a bridesmaid in her and Chris' wedding, and they are living in Memphis.

Hannah Rogers

Olivia and I went to the same high school but we didn't get close until we worked together at Stoney River. I was a bridesmaid in her and Kevin's wedding and now expecting TWINS living in Kentucky. But through the distance, we've only gotten closer! 

Olivia Driesbach

I was Lauren's first friend when she moved here from Kentucky and got a job at Stoney River. I immediately clicked with her down to earth personality. I got to be a bridesmaid in her and Dane's wedding and they now have the cutest son, Otto. They live in Kentucky, but we always look forward to our trips to see each other and love to be a part of all the beautiful stages of life.

Lauren Hilliard

When I met Alexis in nursing school, I basically told her "we are going to be best friends!" and she thought I was crazy lol. But here we are... we even lived together during nursing school and after. She is recently married to Herron, who I introduced to her, and is living in Memphis!

Alexis Schwartz

Carson and I were in the same 3rd grade class. We have always found our way back to each other in each stage of our lives! We love country concerts and going on trips. I can always count on her to have fun! She is dating Tyler and living in Memphis.

Carson Rowe

Kennedy and I went to high school together but we got closer after. We went to nursing school together and we now are both travel nurses. She is always down for a good time. She is living in Maryland with her boyfriend, Justin.

Kennedy Kivisto

Kayla and I worked together at Baptist in the NICU. It's been a while since we have worked together, but we have stayed close. She always gives me great advice! She is married and now has 2 kids that I have loved being a part of their lives. My favorite kids to babysit!

Kayla Colosimo

Derek Johnson is Stephen's best friend from his time in the US Army. Both of them were in the same unit together for all 5 years that he served and still keep in touch to this day.

Derek Johnson

Marcus is one of Stephen's best friends. The two met during his undergrad years at a local CrossFit box and trained together for many years. Stephen consider's Marcus to be like that of an older brother who he looks up to for guidance and counsel.

Marcus House

Andrew is Stephen's brother who is 6 years younger. They share a unique childhood because they are both military brats and moved every 3 years growing up. They share a love for movies. He is an entrepreneur and living in Missouri.

Andrew Powell

Brandon is one of Stephen's great friends from his time in the US Army. Both of them were in the same unit together for all 5 years that he served and still keep in touch to this day.

Brandon Simmons

Adrian is one of Stephen's great friends from his time in the US Army. Both of them served in the same unit together for many years and still keep in touch to this day.

Adrian Harris 

Jay  is one of Stephen's great friends from his time in the US Army. Both of them served in the same unit together for many years and still keep in touch to this day.

Jay Twitty

AJ is Samantha's younger brother. He has enjoyed getting to know Stephen through snowboarding, snorkeling, basketball, chess, and Star Wars. He is 15 and growing up way too fast.

AJ Rice

Stephen and Dane met through one of Samantha's best friends, Lauren (Dane's wife). The two clicked and have a growing friendship to this day.

Dane Hilliard

After Stephen's exit from the military he met Chase at the beginning of his undergrad years and have been friends since. The two met and trained together at a local Crossfit box.

Chase Gist

After Stephen's exit from the military he met David during his undergrad years. The two met and trained together at a local Crossfit box, later becoming partners to own and operate that same gym.

David Mincemeyer

Stephen's daughter and my future beautiful step-daughter! She loves gymnastics and swimming.

Ella Powell

Samantha's little sister! She loves soccer and volleyball.

Mary Ann Rice

Stephen's son and my future handsome step son!  He loves wrestling and swimming.

Samantha + Stephen

Samantha + Stephen

Q + A

Q + A coming soon!