I first saw Sam a year into working at Remsa. He was so sweet and quiet. We would talk on and off for two years building a friendship. During Sam’s internship we became a little more friendly. I was in the process of building my career and chose to do a ridealong with Sam and his partner because they were good providers (not only because he was very attractive). During that ride along Sam and I laughed and joked around the whole day. He let me get an IV in his middle finger and then watched as I insisted it was comfortable taking a nap in the CPR seat of the ambulance. I would try and find flaws in Sam because I was scared of starting a relationship with a coworker. On May 30th, 2019 we went on our first date. Of course that meant we walked around Scheels, then we drove around town and ended up at Dairy Queen. Later that night he text me stating he wanted to kiss me all day. I called him out and told him he still could, so he drove 30 miles just to meet up again for that kiss. Sam graduated paramedic school and two days after his graduation we officially decided we wanted to start a relationship, July 15th, 2019. We had fun just getting to know each other on a deeper level. Exactly two months later the feelings were so strong that the L word came out. Shortly after that, I decided I wanted to pursue paramedic school and Sam was supporting me the whole way through. At the same time Sam got hired on with TMFD and went through the fire academy. We both did not think those changes were hard enough so Covid came along to add to all that pressure. Just under two years together and we couldn’t get enough of each other we so decided it was time to live together. On April 9th, 2021 we moved into our apartment. Now some say the first year of living together is the roughest but I don’t think that’s the case. We enjoyed every minute of it; Sam leaving his dirty clothes everywhere (except the hamper), I would leave a few dishes in the sink, Sam’s side of the closet was a mess, my side of the bathroom was just as bad. Ok, so maybe we did have some learning moments. But again we didn’t think the struggle was too bad so we added our baby into the picture. I wanted a dog so bad and I convinced Sam that I was a damsel in distress when he would leave for two days (at least) to be at the fire house. I searched and searched for the right dog to get and found a litter of Labrador retrievers. On June 16th, 2021 we drove to Sacramento to pick out a weird colored lab. Mr. Ranger became so important to us even though I wouldn’t describe him as a lab, mut seems more appropriate. Our little family enjoyed our new routine of walks and shopping sprees. Our next adventure was finding the right house. After seeing a lot of houses and not finding the right one we finally found our home and got the keys on May 23rd, 2022. We were creating a wonderful life together and I wanted a ring!! Somehow after 4 years and the topic coming up multiple times Sam still managed to surprise me and trick me into to doing his engine checks. On July 4th, 2023 (yay America!) Sam asked me to marry him in the bucket of the ladder truck. Here we are almost a year later and I can’t wait to continue our journey. Oh and that quiet boy I meet 7 years ago, yeah I have no idea where he went because my Sam now, he doesn’t stop talking. The love story of Samuel and Sydney.

Sydney and my story began even before we started dating over 5 years ago. We both worked at the same ambulance company at the time. I was working as an Advanced-EMT when I first saw Sydney. We were doing our company training on how to safely drive and operate ambulances in the mean streets of Reno. After I had just finished my driving Sydney was standing there getting ready for her turn. I immediately took note of her because I had never saw her before, turns out it was her first day. But I didn’t get the chance to talk to her at that time. Over the next couple of years I would come in from my end of shift and Sydney would be in the ambulance bay, we began to talk more and more. She was always curious how my day was, and if we ran any crazy calls. These meetings would mean even more when I began to go through Paramedic school which was a huge goal I had set for myself. Anyone who has been through medic school or knows someone who has done it knows the struggles and the time commitment. Over the year I would be at school and working 7 days a week. 3 days in medic school for 8 hours, and 4 days working on the ambulance for 12 hours. With all the stress of tests, studying, and running calls, there was always Sydney asking how my day was. A 5 or 10 minute break from the rest of the world just to talk with someone who cared about me. It meant the world to me. After medic school finished I got the courage to ask Sydney out, and it was the best choice I could have made. Our journey together as a couple just began, and I didn’t make it easy by any means. After we started dating I got picked up with the fire department, and went through the fire academy. Sydney supporting me the whole way through. Even when I would come home saying I was thinking about not going back. Sydney would say “go for just one more day”. That’s how I think we’ve been so successful. We just take things one day at a time. I can’t wait to see what the rest of our lives has in store. Getting married, starting a family, and all the adventures we haven’t even planned yet. And I will enjoy them just one day at a time.