our story

A classic love story with a modern twist. Technology brought them together, FaceTime connected them across Southern California, and a budding romance blossomed into a once-in-a-lifetime happily ever after.

 

In a tale as timeless as it is modern, technology wove the first threads of a love story that would blossom into a once-in-a-lifetime romance. Josef and Samantha’s paths were destined to cross, yet it took a spark of serendipity for their story to unfold.

 

Josef grew up in Highland, California, and Samantha was raised in nearby Corona. Although their homes were just an hour apart, their lives were intricately connected by visits to a shared church, mutual friends, and even the same college, La Sierra University. Fate played its own game, as Josef transitioned to Loma Linda University just as Samantha began at La Sierra. They missed each other by mere moments—Samantha’s cousin even taught Josef during his nuclear medicine program! Their younger siblings even went to the same college in Tennessee, and Josef’s cousin went to the same high school as Samantha! Despite these near-misses, their worlds remained blissfully unaware of one another.

 

Their lives ran parallel, overlapping at events and churches, yet it wasn’t until November 14, 2021, that destiny took its course. Samantha, feeling that a routine of church, school, and studying at home wasn’t leading her to potential romance, decided to give the dating app Hinge a try. Josef, having endured months of fleeting matches and dashed hopes, was ready to abandon and officially delete the app for a more traditional approach of meeting a love in person. 

 

But with his birthday just behind him, he hesitated, and it was this last swipe that led him to Samantha’s profile—a moment that would forever alter the trajectory of their lives.

 

Their first date on Black Friday 2021 marked the beginning of something truly special. If you ask them, they’d say they snagged the best Black Friday deal ever! Weeks later, on January 9, 2022, Josef made it official at Pixar Pier in Disney’s California Adventure, asking Samantha to be his girlfriend. 

 

Their love took them across Southern California, with Josef moving to San Diego for work and Samantha commuting from Corona to Irvine for school. This “mid-distance” only strengthened their bond, as they meticulously balanced schedules, planned cherished FaceTime dates, and found joy in meeting up in Highland, Corona, Anaheim, San Diego, Irvine, and even Las Vegas, Japan, and Singapore!

 

On July 9, 2023, Josef proposed to Samantha on the scenic shores of Strands Beach in Dana Point. With hearts brimming full of joy, excitement and love, they eagerly anticipate the start of their next chapter in San Francisco, where they will exchange vows in May 2025. This vibrant city will soon join their collection of meaningful places as they continue their journey as husband and wife.