1. Sam and I actually met on tinder (best thing this thumb ever did was swipe right on him. ha!) but we met for the first time in person at Bethany Beach in July of 2016! So often we just tell people we met at the beach. It’s funny because Bethany Beach is a place we both have been going since we were babies, so at multiple points growing up we most likely crossed paths which is pretty cool! Our first date we got lunch and hangout on the beach and just talked for hours.In fact the first date lasted 8 hours. And obviously the rest is history!

What is your dream date night?

2. One of our favorite dates is taking his boat to dinner in Annapolis! Sam loves being on the water, and I have a whole new appreciation for it since meeting him! Its so much fun to just tie up the boat and hop off in town and get a nice dinner and walk around downtown. We also love taking walks together, cooking, and love going to country concerts together!

How did Sam Propose?

3. Sam’s proposal story is one for the books. Sam was away on sea term (he went to Massachusetts Maritime Academy and every winter they set sail on a ship for two months to learn how to work on the ship at sea.) While he was at sea he decided he wanted to propose when he got back. From the time Sam set foot off the ship to when he proposed was three days. In those three days, he met with my dad and asked for his blessing, got the family diamond that was passed down to me from my great aunt from my mom, went to Jarod and got the ring and the diamond put in it, and then proposed.

The day of the proposal was the windiest day ever! It was March 2nd and schools literally closed for wind haha. But Sam was sweetly determined to do it that day! We got donuts that morning (my favorite) and then he talked me into taking a drive across the bay bridge to Terrapin Park to take a walk. However, when we got to the bridge, it was closed due to wind…so we turned around and went to his second choice of places to propose, a beach called Sandy Point. It was nice but sand was getting in our eyes and we were cold so he decided not to do it there. I still had no idea why we were visiting beaches on a windy day. But I went along! On our way back to his house, a giant tree fell down and blocked the road. So, with a ring in his pocket, he helped neighbors cut up and drag out the tree while I went inside.

When he came in he asked me to go down to the marina with him, claiming he wanted to see the water. When we got there, I said, “You can go look, I’ll stay in the truck.” With some persuading I got out of the truck, we walked down to the end of the pier, he looked in my eyes, got a huge smile on his face, and got down on one knee. With tears in his eyes he asked me to marry him and I said yes! He quickly pointed out afterwards that there were ducks around which if you know Sam, the boy loves ducks. I was wearing a sweatshirt, sweatpants, my nails weren’t done, and my hair was blowing around, but it was perfect!

What are you most excited about for your wedding day??

4. On my wedding day I am most excited for the moment the music plays, I hold onto my dad’s arm, the guests stand, and I get to see Sam at the end of the aisle. Walking down the aisle to him is what gets me the most excited! I cannot wait to be Bethany Heller and to get to be his wife! I am looking forward to no longer being long distance with Sam and getting to experience life’s adventures, whether big or small with him.