Our Story

Our story is winding, but we couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds!

We started dating in 2017 while Brian (he/him) was pursuing his degree in computer science at Kettering University and Sam (she/they) was conducting wildlife research for the University of Michigan after receiving her bachelor degree in pre-veterinary biology. We went on our first-first date (more on that later) when Sam was working as a barista in Frankenmuth, MI. We walked arm-in-arm down the frigid streets of little Bavaria to get crepes and talked most of the night away, plus a stolen kiss while Brian was obliviously explaining the theory behind solving Rubik’s cubes. Yes, he brought a Rubik’s cube to our first date.

We parted ways when Sam joined the Michigan Army National Guard as a mass communication specialist for the 126 Press Camp Headquarters. In the meantime, Brian finished his schooling, started his own business to become a full-time painter, then was offered employment at Forensic Analytical Consulting Services as a technical illustrator. In the summer of 2020, we serendipitously got back into contact while Sam was deployed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with the 46th Military Police Headquarters. Our second-first date (get it now?) was spent eating burritos under an old elm tree and chatting on Lansing overpasses all night. We chatted so long, in fact, that Brian’s car battery died.

We have been inseparable ever since. We moved in together in the summer of 2021 while Sam attended Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine and were engaged the summer after. Sam lured Brian into the woods behind their home with the promise of mushroom hunting, but instead of kneeling down to pluck a delicious dryad’s saddle from a stump, she produced a purple-heart wooden ring and a pink rose. He obviously said yes and we must have been very entertaining for our neighbors. The pink rose is now planted in our front garden and blooms aggressively most of the year, even in the snow.

Brian is now wholly engrossed in the world of disc golf and is an active member in the Michigan disc golf community. His dedication surpasses even a broken dominant wrist; he simply learned how to throw with his non-dominant arm. As one does. Sam has since medically retired from the Army and has left vet school for related medical reasons. While recovering at home, she began breeding snakes and making educational content under The Vivarium. We have a border collie named Hiram; cats Wren, Quinn, Daria, Loon, and Pigeon; hens Opossum, Moth Dal, and Dog Food; quite a few royal pythons and western hognose snakes, a colony of spotted fancy rats and mice, a 90 gallon planted aquarium full of guppies and a lot of houseplants.

What’s next? We’re excited to celebrate the continuation of our story together with you! Thank you for reading and we hope to see you at the wedding.