In August 2016, a recent graduate of Erics Alma Mater Carthage College started working as a Learning Behavior Specialist at Naperville Central. Eric was already an established teacher and football coach at Naperville Central. Eric and Sam share a lot of values and love for working with kids. Often their students refer to them as their best friends. Eric and Sam interacted as co-workers for several years before going out on their first date gin the summer of 2021. Yes, Samantha asked Eric out initially. Eric wanted to take her to his neighborhood so they went to Cafe Touche in Edison Park where they got to know each other on a personal level outside the walls of Naperville Central.


Eric and Sams love did not blossom until the fall of 2022 and it was solidified during a weekend getaway in Lake Geneva at the couples favorite spot, the Abbey Resort.


Eric and Sams love grew over the year by going on trips to Las Vegas, Austin Texas, and commingling families in the early weeks of 2023. Eric and Sams relationship was now in the open and their relationship has grown to something real. Eric and Sams students started to ask questions about the relationship status of the two love birds. Eric and Sam share a special bond with their students and sharing about their relationship was inevitable


After the 2023 football season, Eric went with his cousin Joey and groomsman Anthony to Chuck the Jewler to pick out a ring. After the ring came in on December 23rd Eric got down on one knee on Christmas Morning right after gifts and coffee. After the shock wore off Sam, she indeed said Yes!


Eric and Sam are now looking to spend their lives together and plan on having a family and sharing their lives with family, friends, and of course their students.