In the midst of a global pandemic, Sam and Nathan connected online through an app named "Hinge." Sam got extremely lucky because Nathan was only the second guy she had gone on a date with through the app! They met halfway in Angola and talked so long at the restaurant that the waitress had to ask them to leave to make room for other customers! Next week, they met for a walk in an Indiana state park. Sam was pretty smitten after their second date because Nathan said all these romantic things like "John Calvin" and "Real Presence in the Lord's Supper" (nerds). Shortly after, Nathan asked Sam to be his girlfriend and the rest is history!

On New Years Eve, Nathan took Sam back to the location of their second date, Pokagon State Park in Angola, IN. After some (impatient) wandering around, they stopped at a bench where they had had a conversation about all the things you shouldn't talk about on your second date: kids, home-schooling, theology, politics, you name it! Sam regarded this as a landmark moment in their relationship, as Nathan went from being some nice guy she met on the internet to serious husband material! At that very bench, Nathan distracted Sam by pointing out a (wholly imaginary) deer, got down on one knee, and told Sam that he could not bear to spend another year without her as his wife. Sam was so excited that she plucked the ring right out of the box before he could even ask the main question! (Pro Tip: Don't do this, ladies!) After putting the ring back in the box and letting Nathan finish his carefully prepared entreaty, Sam eagerly said "Yes"!

Sam and Nathan are planning to make their home in the bustling metropolis of Hillsdale, Michigan. Nathan bought a house there last summer and Sam has been guiding him towards better design choices and tripling the number of pillows. Nathan works at Hillsdale College in its Institutional Advancement Department and Sam has lately started teaching voice lessons to a couple students! They are both excited to discover God's vision for their marriage together and thankful for your friendship in this new chapter of life.