October 12, 2024

They are high school sweethearts! Their first interaction involved Calista trying to pass a paper forward to Sam in their freshman year history class. It was awkward because Calista didn't know his name! Calista had to ask her best friend (and Maid of Honor), Kylie, to pass the paper forward for her! In 2015 they became best friends during their sophomore year. They went on their first date on October 27, 2016 and Sam asked Calista to be his girlfriend. They continued to grow their relationship and made many new memories while attending Purdue University together!

Sam planned the most amazing trip to a beautiful cabin in the Smoky Mountains! The cabin had a porch with the most breath taking view they had ever seen. They spent the first night listening to their favorite songs and playing board games on the porch. On the second day of the trip, they went hiking and found a look out tower completely surrounded by the mountains. Following a humid, sweaty afternoon of hiking, they went back to the cabin to get ready to take pictures on the porch. Sam poured a glass of wine for Calista and himself, and out to the porch they went. While they were on the porch, Sam suggested the idea of taking a picture of Calista sipping her wine while looking out at the mountains. She thought it was such a cute picture idea and was so happy that Sam recommended it. Calista gazed out at the mountains for what seemed like a very long time for just one picture, when she heard a small thud behind her. Calista turned around and sure enough, Sam was down on one knee! She heard, "Calista Rose," blanked out the middle, and "will you marry me," at the end of his proposal. She had to ask Sam to repeat what he said because she was in such awe. They celebrated the rest of the night over a wonderful steak dinner. It was the happiest moment of their whole life so far. It could not have gone any more perfect!!!