When and where did they meet?

Samantha’s perspective:

I first remember noticing David during track in middle school. We had the ugliest track outfits and would often try to make them look better by either not wearing them or by rolling up the sweatpants. Let me tell you they were still not cute. I remember David getting on the bus and he had the whole suit on head to toe, he was the only one wearing it. I’m not sure if I really had a thought at that time other than wow, he really doesn’t care that it’s the ugliest suit ever haha. David is always genuinely himself and doesn’t sweat over what people think about him, and that is one thing I love about him. Occasionally at the water fountain during track breaks some comments would be exchanged, you could call it flirting I suppose. I think I initiated these comments with “ I thought only girls wet down their hair.”

David’s perspective:

I met her for the first time while she was doing statistics for the boys basketball team and I was an eighth grader rizzing up the stats girls behind the bench. My aim wasn’t directed at her in particular at that point in time. Mainly because she was taller than me, better at sports, and I didn’t really think I had a chance. After the game, dad teased me about chatting with the girls and even inferred I needed to ‘start talking more to the cute brunette one’. I’ve always been very coachable; took that advice and ran with it.

What was their first date?

Samantha’s perspective:

Since David and I were so young when we first started dating, our moms had to drive us to the movie theater in Jamestown. I arrived first, surprisingly, and remember waiting for David to finish up at Walmart. I remember being super nervous, but when David arrived he was talkative and fun to be around. We saw the movie Safehaven. During the movie David made many comments and I remember thinking I had never talked so much during a movie. If I’m remembering correctly, there were only about two other groups of people in the theater, one of them being some grandmas. Safe to say I picked this movie. In time David has made up in picking the movies we watch.

David’s perspective:

Samantha’s wrong. I think. Our first date was at acres of terror (a haunted corn maze). Two of my buddies decided it would be a good night to go to the corn maze and we told Samantha and two of her friends to go at the same time. Some scheming involved, of course, because we had our friends’ moms drive us. Rumor has it we held hands the entire time and even almost kissed at the end of the night. Fumbled the bag on that one I guess. Glad it didn’t cost me in the long run.

When did they first kiss?

Samantha’s Perspective:

We were at the school dance and the song “Are you Gonna Kiss Me or Not” came on. One of the older boys started heckling David to kiss me as we were slow dancing. I pretended I didn’t hear him. David then asked if we could go out in the hallway (so not everyone was staring at us). We did and that’s when David kissed me, crazy enough I can replay it in my head so clearly still, I was smitten!

David’s Perspective:

Our first kiss happened at a highschool dance when the song ‘Are you gonna kiss me or not’ came on and Brad yelled at us from across the gym floor ‘DO IT!’ I held her hand into the hallway and gave her a quick little peck. She grabbed me as I started to walk back and said ‘How about two?’ The second one went much better and I held her close.

What do they love most about each other?

Samantha’s Perspective:

I have been loving David for 12+ years now so I could really write a list. As we continue to grow through life and have different experiences my list grows, which is pretty cool to feel that way about a person. David is always present and all in, which is a trait that really inspires me. He makes jokes and laughs through life, lifting the mood in any room he is in. David truly just makes life more fun and I feel lucky to be able to have him in my life everyday!

David’s perspective:

I love the passion she has for helping people. She puts a lot of emotion and thought behind her work because she cares deeply for even complete strangers. It’s inspiring to witness on a weekly basis and it continually motivates me about the light we can create in this world.

What has been your favorite trip together so far?

Samantha’s Perspective:

Our road trip has many lasting memories! After my first year of dental school David drove to Colorado to pick me up, and from there we drove all throughout Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota, seeing many national parks. This was our first trip just us two. We camped in a tent throughout the week, and stayed in a hotel only a couple nights. It was fun to just explore and see so many new places. By the end of the trip, after spending so much time in the car driving, and probably the most time we had ever spent together; we were surprised we weren’t actually sick of each other!

David’s Perspective:

My favorite was the road trip we took one summer while she was in dental school in Denver, Colorado. I drove down to Denver, picked her up, and then from there it was non-stop outdoors and adventures. We visited the national parks in Utah, Wyoming, and Montana camping and hiking along the way. The best part was climbing a rock cliff in Arches national park while slightly lost trying to get back on trail. We were successful after lots of cussing and only a little bit of crying.

How did they get engaged?

Samantha’s Perspective:

David and I were living in Colorado, and we were coming home for Christmas. At this time, we did know that we would be coming back to ND after I was done with school, so we wanted to take a look at the farmhouse where we would be living. It was there, the day before Christmas Eve, when he asked me! I did have a gut feeling he was going to propose when we got to the farm, but I kept telling myself to not expect it so that I wouldn’t get upset when it didn’t happen. Ha! If you guys were all wondering when we would finally get engaged, I was right there with you! David was very thoughtful and intentional, and I love that we have that memory right in our home!

David’s perspective:

After celebrating Christmas with my family, I brought Samantha back to the farm house I grew up in and surprised her with a poem and a sign saying ‘Welcome Home Dr. Fletcher’.