Sammy and Lucas met shortly after Sammy moved from D.C. to Chicago in January of 2021 when the world was still under COVID precautions. Their first date Lucas showed up to Sammy’s apartment with a bottle of tequila and limes, and they immediately hit it off talking for hours and watching the movie Miracle with several (perhaps tequila-driven) exclamations that we, as well as Mike Eruzione, played for “the United States of America!” Considering this the best first date either of them had ever had, the relationship bloomed quickly and easily from there.

It was during a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend getaway to the Scoggin Family cottage in southwest Michigan when Lucas officially asked Sammy to be his girlfriend. It did not take long for the two to realize that they were each other’s best friend and that something special was brewing. Later that spring, Lucas moved to the Gold Coast neighborhood, just a few blocks away from Sammy. They had a fun two years enjoying downtown living before moving in together in Lincoln Park.

Fast forward to July 2023, when what Sammy thought was a birthday dinner at a Michelin star restaurant turned into a surprise proposal at North Pond surrounded by family. Lucas’s nerves almost got the best of him, as he was quick to get down on one knee - almost too quick for the photographer, who had to sprint onto the scene to capture the shot. The festivities carried on at a favorite local tapas joint Cafe Ba Ba Reeba with more friends and family. It was a night Sammy and Lucas will never forget.

What will have been a two year engagement has flown by and 2025 has started out fast, as the final stages of wedding planning have ramped up and the couple welcomed a new bernedoodle puppy, Fisher, to the family. Needless to say, Sammy and Lucas are beyond ready to make it official on July 26, and cannot wait to celebrate with everyone they love!

See you up north!