How We Met:

It was Thanksgiving weekend 2013. Christopher had just moved to Columbus a few months earlier for his job with the Ohio State Men's Basketball team and they had a rare night off so he went out in the Short North with some friends. Sammie had just worked Black Friday with Target and had the night off so she decided to go out with some friends. Between the two groups of friends they both ended up at the same place and after introductions they struck up a conversation.

Christopher knew almost immediately after meeting Sammie that night that he wanted to take her out on a date. He was totally taken by her. Her charm, her smile, the way she lit up the room. He knew she was special. A "super pretty Target rockstar" who gave him her phone number so they could go out to dinner the following week.

Sammie spent the following week thinking about the night she and Christopher met and how much she enjoyed their conversation. She was approximately 30 minutes late to their first date due to the number of outfits she tried on and upon getting to know him was thoroughly impressed that he still gave her a chance even if tardiness is his biggest pet peeve.

According to both of them their first date was nothing short of perfect. They talked about their friends and family, goals and dreams, past and present, and even talked about what they imagined their own weddings would be like. In fact, they spent so much time talking and getting to know each other that they never actually ordered dinner! This would be their last first date.

The Proposal:

In August 2015 Christopher had an opportunity to coach the Costa Rican National Basketball team and he and Sammie decided to spend a few days vacationing while he was there. What Sammie didn't know was that he was planning on proposing on August 18th, a day that has a lot of meaning for both families. It is her parents' wedding anniversary, the day his mom and dad went on their first date, and his Grandpa Spartz's birthday. Christopher had thought of everything and surprised her from the first day she got there by taking them to Tamarindo Diria, a beautiful beach resort. They spent the next few days surfing, zip lining, out on the ocean, and by the pool. The night he proposed they were going out to dinner when he suggested taking a picture at the beach. He and Sammie stood there for a second before he took her hand and got down on one knee. It was an absolutely beautiful night and one they will never forget.