How we met
We met on a Sunday afternoon in June at Stanley’s Greenhouse.
Carly was waiting to checkout and I was walking to the register. I noticed her right away. Our eyes met and we exchanged a quick smile. I shopped aimlessly and then got in line at the register across from her. I was hoping to check out at the same time and get her number in the parking lot. Carly took matters into her own hands and walked over to wait behind me in line. I encouraged her to go ahead of me and she smiled saying “I think I was in the wrong line.”
Indeed, she was.
We exchanged names and chatted while we waited to check out. Carly left with her flowers and I paid for my herbs as quickly as I could to try and catch her outside, but I was too late. Luckily, she had told me where she worked so I was able to find her on Linkedin and send her a message. We starting seeing each other and it didn’t take long for me to realize Carly was the one.
After dating for a year or so, we moved in together. We gardened, traveled, and became each other’s best friends.
Y’all know the rest.
-Sam
“Sam makes me laugh all the time. He understands me and takes care of me.”
-A quote by Carly written by Sam
The Proposal
We got engaged in Tulum, Mexico in February 2024.
Sam took me on a surprise trip to Tulum for Valentine’s Day. After dinner on our first night, we went to the coast to watch the waves crash against the rocky cliffside. It was very windy and the moon was shining bright. Sam got down on one knee and asked me to marry him with a ring that looked familiar — it belonged to my great-grandmother. I said yes without hesitation.
Shortly after the engagement, we moved to Boston with our dog, Quinoa, and our two cats, Joni and Lola. East Tennessee still has our hearts, and we can’t wait to be back in Knoxville next April to celebrate our marriage with you all. Cheers!
-Carly
