Kevin and Samantha’s story began in the summer of 2013 on Cape Cod. Kevin was spending the season playing baseball for the Cotuit Kettleers, and thanks to a little luck—and some great friends—one of Samantha’s best friends happened to be hosting one of his teammates. That connection led to a lakehouse party at Tern Lane and an unforgettable first meeting.

A year later, Kevin transferred to Oklahoma State, where Samantha was a member of the Cowgirl Equestrian Team. Despite being on the same campus, Samantha completely ignored him for the entire first semester. That became much harder after Kevin turned 21 over winter break and could finally chase her around Washington Street. By January, he had started introducing himself to her friends as “Samantha’s boyfriend,” though it wasn’t until just weeks before she graduated that she finally gave him the time of day.

A few months later, they officially started dating—and immediately jumped into long distance. What followed were countless flights, endless miles on the road, and more FaceTime hours than either of them can count. Kevin headed to Arizona to play baseball while Samantha stayed in Oklahoma coaching the Cowgirl Equestrian Team. Then Kevin moved on to New York to attend Columbia, while Samantha remained in Oklahoma.

Eventually, distance gave way to something closer. Kevin moved to New Jersey, Samantha to New York, and before long they took their biggest step yet—moving to Georgia together and officially beginning life side by side.

All the miles, moves, and moments led to one easy decision. In December 2024, Kevin asked Samantha to marry him, and she said yes. The rest, as they say, is just the beginning.