We met during our first semester at the University of Dayton. Coming from very different majors (Sami, psychology; Doug, finance), we were randomly placed in the same gen-ed Oral Communications class. As you can imagine, the extroverted Doug thrived in this class, placing 5th in the overall speech competition for our freshman class (hungover, I might add). Meanwhile, introverted Sami spent most of the time trying to blend in toward the back of the class. None-the-less, we somehow captured each other's attention and spent the next 4 years making the most of our time at Dayton together!

After graduating from the University of Dayton, Sami spent the next 4 years pursuing her graduate degree in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Doug worked for a couple years in Cleveland and eventually moved to San Fransisco for his job. Upon moving, Sami's only request was that we visit Yosemite National Park while he lived out there. That, and of course the knowledge that she was going to get a dog to keep her company in Doug's absence (hi, Bear!). Little did we know at the time how COVID would eventually bring Doug back to the midwest earlier than expected. However, our agreement still stood and Doug found a way to get us to Yosemite despite all these challenges. Doug asked Sami to marry him on the top of a stunning mountain peak, and of course Sami said yes!