Sam and Satori crossed paths when Sam was interning at the Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau, located in the historic Miss Laura’s Visitors Center, which had once been a brothel in the early 1900s. In the summer of 2021, Satori had just returned to Fort Smith from Northwest Arkansas and took on the position of Sales and Marketing Coordinator for the CVB.

On her very first day, September 13th 2021, Satori was assigned to shadow Sam to learn about the visitor experience in the historical site. The first guests of the day were an older couple passing through Fort Smith who were eager for a guided tour of the building and its fascinating history.

During the tour, the couple playfully asked if they could snap a photo of Sam and Satori, commenting that they looked like a cute couple. They all shared a good laugh over the moment.

Over time, Sam and Satori developed a friendship, gradually getting to know each other better. At that point, Satori was in a relationship, so their bond remained strictly platonic. Well… besides that “Wolf on Wall Street” meme Sam texted to Satori that one time but she didn’t get the joke then.

Some may say that Sam knew he was interested in Satori but it was always respected between the two of them that their friendship would remain just as that. Satori did know that she enjoyed Sam's company and knew he was special, so much even that she tried to set Sam up with her best friend, Quinn. Quinn would tell you now that it was on that very date that the two of them realized that the only real thing they had in common… was their love for Satori.

In December 2021, Sam graduated from college and his internship ended. They didn’t keep contact with each other and both went on their separate ways.

It wasn’t until September 2022 that they re-connected their friendship. Satori was no longer in a relationship and was eager to catch up. Sam, a little hesitant, knowing that Satori was in a big change in her life, was also excited to catch up and rekindle that friendship. They had always enjoyed each other's company, especially the effortless conversations they shared.

Between texts, snapchats and many facetimes, the two finally met up to watch a football game - Dolphins vs Bengals. The Dolphins lost that game 15-27, and Satori jokingly blamed herself for the bad luck. Little did they know that night would mark the beginning of their inseparable journey together, one they both felt incredibly lucky to embark on.

They made it a point to keep conversations intentional. To not waste time getting to know what made the other exactly who they are. They enjoyed dates, met each other’s families, and prayed together about their future.

On October 22nd 2022, Sam asked Satori to be his girlfriend after a day long of hiking. The following day, after enjoying mimosa’s and wine with his family, Sam handed Satori a sticky note as she was getting out of the car. It was from a set that belonged to his late father, and it simply read, “I love you.”

Fast forward two years to October 20th, 2024, in Gulf Shores, Alabama, where Sam proposes to Satori on the beach, getting down on one knee to ask her to spend forever together.

That's the thing about their love story... some may say it happened quickly, and it did. It was immense and came all at once.

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For those who know Sam and Satori, it’s evident how important their individual values are and how much stronger they become as a couple. They share a profound understanding of family, faith, and everything in between, both clear about their desires in life and in their relationship.

Come May 2025, the two will make the promise under the eyes of God to become one with each other - and they are thrilled to have you join them for what promises to be their most memorable day yet.

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