Just a normal day at the gym in 2023, and Erik sees Samantha for the first time. He thinks she is the most beautiful girl in the world. Erik finds the confidence to approach Sam and ask to use her weights.

Erik’s perspective: I need to talk to her. If I can just start off the conversation, I’ll be good.

Sam’s perspective: I really wish nobody would talk to me at the gym.

Erik asked Sam to use her 20-pound weights. She lets him; they have brief words, and go back to their own workouts.

But this was not enough for him. He had to get her attention. Erik finished his workout and proceeded to wait outside until Sam was done.

Erik’s perspective: I can’t wait to talk to her again and ask for her number.

Sam’s perspective: She texts her friend “there is a creepy guy waiting for me outside of the gym at his truck”.

He did not ask for her number. But he did go home and tell his mom that if Sam ever talked to him, he was going to marry her. Sam didn’t know this part until later.

Listen, they may not have started out on the same page, but the rest worked out.

Ahhh yes, the well-known Tinder. Sam very much had no plans for getting into a relationship at the time, but everyone else used Tinder so…why not? Erik was the same way—no intention of finding anyone anytime soon.

Months had passed since Sam and Erik met at the gym. But one day, the Tinder stars aligned.

Sam and Erik saw each other on the app—

Now, I am not sure who is familiar with this feature, but this app allows you to “Super Like” someone.

Sam sees a handsome man pop up. Thinking nothing of it, she swipes right. The words MATCH pop up, followed by “Erik Super Liked you!”. In this moment Sam realized who this was…. the stalker from the gym.

In about 3 seconds she gets a message from Erik. At first, she was not thrilled about having to talk to him—but the conversation became better. Jokes were made, and over a short time, the two were accidentally falling in love.

Anyone else get a dog together 2 months into dating? Didn’t think so.

Sam and Erik had the bright idea that getting a puppy together was a perfect first-step in their very new relationship. Why not, right? In October 2023 they picked up their puppy, Mia, and she has been their little princess ever since.

Anyone that knows Sam and Erik knows that they are close. Not just living together and knowing each other well. Like really, really close. Sometimes, some may even say too close. They say the same things, have the same weird sense of humor—and most importantly, they very obviously show how strong their love is for one another.

In November 2024, Erik popped the question to Samantha at the Cliff House in Maine. She thought she had an idea what might happen, but Erik did a great job of making her think otherwise once they were there.

For example, the afternoon before the engagement, Erik noted to Sam that they should “go look at some engagement rings” when they get back from their weekend away. So, of course she started thinking otherwise.

But Erik had planned it out perfectly. He hired a photographer to take photos of the moment, planned a special night for them, and treated Sam to a beautiful spa day. Best weekend ever!

A week prior to popping the question, Erik approached Sam’s mother, Ellen, to ask for her blessing to propose.

He told her his plan and when he was going to ask. It turns out the date of the engagement, November 9th, was the same date Sam’s parents got engaged back in 1992, and Erik had no idea. This is one of the best parts of the story!

Samantha and Erik have taken some great trips in the last few years. Yearly summer vacations to Cape Cod & Maine, many weekends in Boston, an extravagant weekend in Las Vegas, and a tropical getaway in Cancun.

You’re engaged. You’re living together. Everything is starting to fall into a routine between work, exercise, your dog. So now what?

Most people would say “enjoy it while it lasts!”. Not Sam and Erik.

What did they do instead? In September 2025, they had the glorious idea to adopt another puppy. They love Milo, but yes their life and house is currently crazy—and hairy!

Wedding planning is not for the weak. Ellen and Samantha have worked hard making sure everything is lining up for the big day, vendors are locked-in, meetings to be had, invitations to be sent.

December 2024 Erik and Sam toured wedding venues and agreed immediately on Oceanview of Nahant. It has been a year and a half in the making!

Samantha can’t wait for all the guests to be surprised by all the details on wedding day! Erik will also be surprised.