How We Met

For those of you who don't know Sam and I have a bit of an unusual history:

The first time we met was on a blind double date... with other people. He was on a date with my friend Andie Knudsen, and I was on a date with his roommate Richard Carey. We had a lot of fun, but I seemed to be connecting with Sam more than my date. Halfway through the date I realized that I needed to stop asking Sam questions and start paying more attention to Richard! Needless to say that ended up being the one and only date Richard and I ever went on.

(photo of our "first date")

About a week later Sam's other roommate, Steve Pearson, asked me and Andie to come over again so HE could make us dinner this time. We heartily agreed. We went over to their house and after that night Steve and I started to date. Steve and I casually dated for a few months. During these months Sam and I started to become best friends. We would play volleyball every Tuesday together at the beginning. Then we started getting our friends all together to hang out. A couple months went by, then Steve and I went our separate ways, but we are all great friends and he could not be happier for Sam and me.

(Sam and I playing Volleyball before we dated)

On To The Good Stuff!

Since the first day I met him, I had a crush on Sam. Pretty much everyone knew it, even Sam. Sam wasn't quite ready for me though. After his birthday party it started to hit him that he probably should go out with me. He asked me out, which was a complete shock to me, but I could not have been more excited about it. We went out the next weekend and it truly was the best date either of us has ever been on.

Sam picked me up in his convertible Mustang and took me to Cheesecake factory. We stayed at the restaurant for about 2.5 hours while only ordering an appetizer and dessert (I'm sure our waiter was very happy with us). We just talked and laughed the entire time. To whomever has not been on a date with their best friend- I highly recommend it!

After dinner we walked down to Santana Row. We sat on a bench in front of a fountain. He pulled out two rolls of pennies. He informed me that we were going to throw pennies into the fountain and make wishes. We started to make wishes. I can't remember all the wishes we made, but I remember Sam making one saying, "I wish I had asked you out sooner". After that wish, I remember going in to hug him and just staying there cuddling with him on that bench across the fountain. This moment was absolute perfection. We sat there cuddling and making wishes for a few more hours. I think we both began to picture a future together while making these wishes. After a while we finally left the fountain. The next time we returned to that fountain is when Sam proposed to me.

(Photo of the fountain from our first date and proposal right after we got engaged)

After that first date we were pretty much always together. I love the evolution our relationship has gone through. I have loved every step and each stage. I am so happy we are where we are right now. I look forward to each stage in the future. I cannot wait for our wedding, our first baby, our 50th wedding anniversary, etc. Sorry I know that was long, but it probably could have been much longer! I am so glad Sam and I were friends before we dated. It gave us an incredibly strong foundation for our relationship. I am so glad I am marrying my best friend!

About Me (Sam)

We realize that many of you have not yet had a chance to meet Brittany or me. So, we thought we’d do some brief introductions. Let’s start by turning the clock back a smidge...

My mother Eileen Hacking was raised on a dairy farm near Rexburg, Idaho. She was called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pennsylvania. While serving there, she was involved in a car accident. The insurance agent, James Lentz, became curious about the black name tag she and the other missionary wore. He began investigating the Church and decided to get baptized. He was set back a bit, though, in finding out that he couldn’t date her. So, he decided to take a train to Rexburg and work on the farm to win over her family. Apparently, that did the trick! Once she finished her mission, he brought her back to Pennsylvania, where they were soon married. They had two wonderful children (Derek and Kathy) and then I showed up. :)

I was born in February 1984 and raised in Millersburg, Pennsylvania—about 45 minutes north of Harrisburg. I stayed pretty active chasing soccer balls, baseballs, and basketballs. My high school was pretty small (2001 graduating class of 60), so I had plenty of opportunities to have fun and get involved. The size of the Millersburg LDS branch I attended fluctuated, so often I’d participate with the Harrisburg Ward for scouts and youth activities. Somehow, I was able to squeak by with my Eagle Scout award the week I left for college.

Starting in 2001, I attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Because of my love for zeroes and ones and all things digital, I studied information systems at the Marriott School of Management. I took two years off to serve a two-year full-time mission for the Church in Pocatello, Idaho. Even though I spoke English and did not go to an exotic location, I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. It was incredible and was one of the best learning experiences of my life. By the time I returned home, my parents had moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. (At least they had the decency to tell me their new address!) Soon thereafter, I returned to BYU and finished with my bachelor’s and master’s degree in December 2006.

During the first few months of 2007, I wanted to mix things up a bit, so I traveled to Kenya to volunteer with Yehu Microfinance. While there, I also took a week off to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Simply phenomenal! On the return flight, I used a little tomfoolery and shenanigans to turn my two-hour layover in Amsterdam into a two-week layover. I got a Eurail pass and hit the tracks—visiting 9 European cities in 14 days. It was an incredible experience, but when I take Brittany there someday, I think I’ll slow down a little bit!

When I got back to the states, I took a little road trip around the Western US before settling down into real life. It had to happen sooner or later, I suppose. After a summer internship with KPMG in Mountain View, California in 2006, I decided that was the life for me. I’ve now been working there for about a year and a half as an IT consultant. Working in beautiful Silicon Valley, I’ve been lucky enough to work on fun clients like Apple Computer, Google, and EMC².

Honestly, I thought I was perfectly happy with my life, basking in the wonderful sunlight of singlehood. And then... Brittany happened. And I couldn’t be happier. She is everything to me. I can’t imagine a better match, and I’m so glad she said yes! It blows me away that I get to be with her forever. I can’t wait to see how our love will grow and develop with time. To boot, I'm marrying into an incredible family. I love the Waltons, and I'm excited to more than double my pool of cute nieces and nephews. Hopefully, you'll get to see them dancing at the wedding!

About Me (Brittany Walton)

I was born in 1988 and raised in Campbell, California. I have grown up in the Bay Area in the same house I was born in. I have six older brothers who are all married. Which means I have 6 sister in laws who are all amazing! My parents are Mark and Susan Walton. My dad was also born and raised in Campbell, CA. My mom was born in Virginia and raised in California. She went to BYU, and my dad went to West Valley College then formed his own business, Walton Art Glass in 1972. He creates gorgeous stained and beveled glass windows.

(our latest family picture sans Sam, Maria, Beck and Gibson)

I attended Westmont High School. I was very active in the school. Participating in student goverment and activities, but mainly cheerleading. I was a cheerleader for 4 years. Three of those years were on varsity and as a captain my senior year. Cheerleading was a very rewarding experience for me, and I learned many life lessons that would later come in handy! I graduated in June 2006 (and yes that is the same year Sam graduated from college...and we are only 4 years apart).

After graduating high school, I attended West Valley College as well. I studied there for 2 years while preparing to transfer to BYU. I ended up getting into BYU-Hawaii. However, after I got in I started dating Sam. We fell very much in love. I went away to school for a semester, but that was about all we could stand! School in Hawaii was amazing. It was a wonderful experience, and I wouldn't ever change it. I think moving away made both Sam and me realize how in love we truly were. I came back to California for my brother's wedding and Sam proposed about 2 hours after I got off the plane! Had no choice but to stay on the mainland! haha!

(Sam and I in front of the Laie Temple in Hawaii)

I am currently transfering to San Jose State. My major is in Photography. I have worked as a photographer for the magazine World Art Glass Quarterly for the passed few years. I love this field. I truly have a passion for photography...just wish I could take our own wedding photos!

I am absolutely in love with the man of my dreams. He is everything I could have ever dreamed of and more. Every day I fall more in love with him and realize how lucky I am. He keeps me laughing all the time. I am so grateful for the love that we have. I am so grateful for the opportunity we have to be married in the Oakland Temple for time and all eternity and cannot wait for November 29th!