Paige + Sam’s Wanderlove Story

Her Name: Paige Jacquelin Kelly
Her Birthplace: Traverse City, MI
His Name: Samuel James Kelly
His Birthplace: Traverse City, MI

Where did you meet? We met in our hometown, Traverse City, MI.

Can you identify specific decisions or life events that brought you together?
Sam was away at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and I was in college at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI. When everyone came back that year from college for Christmas break, we were all 21, so we all spent a good amount of time together at the bars. We hadn’t seen each other since High School and a few of our very good friends starting to work their magic in getting us together. We went on our first date that winter break and the rest is history.

What were your first impressions of each other and what initially attracted you?

Paige: Sam was always so happy and kind to everyone and I loved that about him! Everything about him was genuine to me, he wasn’t pretending to be anyone or anything. Also, his smile, laugh and eyes 🙂 He’s just so handsome!

As you saw more of each other, what really made you fall in love?

Paige: Everything felt so right with him. I could completely be myself with him and I knew he would love me for who I am. Even though we had obstacles, there was this feeling deep down that I just knew we were supposed to be together. Early on in our relationship, I knew I loved him and we were meant to spend the rest of our lives together.

Sam: Genuine love of life and her passion to enjoy it.

Did your love face any big challenges? Any differences you had to work through?
Oh yes! Our entire relationship was long distance! It was harder at certain times, but we made the best of it and we constantly planned weekend trips to see each other.

Where do you live now? Beaufort, SC

What brought you from where you met to where you live now? After about 3 years of dating (Sam in Maryland and Paige in Michigan), we got engaged, Sam got orders to Beaufort, SC. We didn’t want to live together until we were married, so I stayed in Michigan until the wedding and then Paige joined Sam in Beaufort, SC to FINALLY not be separated anymore and together as husband and wife!

How do the places you have been together help define or shape your relationship?
We are young and adventurous and love the idea that the military is going to move us around all over the country and world! That helps our relationship stay young, fresh and brings us together closer through those times of transitions.

Are there any locations that are special to you as a couple?

Empire, MI/Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore —- Proposal Location
Traverse City, MI —— HOME and where we got married
Beaufort, SC —— First home together/first 3 years of our lives
Asheville NC ——- Our mountain getaway while living in SC.
Annapolis, MD ——- Where Sam went to school and where we started our relationship and spent many weekends together.

Do you see your location changing in the future? Why or why not?
YES! We are moving to Okinawa, JAPAN together this August on orders from the USMC. We will be there for 3 years!

Describe your style as a couple:
Adventurers, Believers (God is at the center of our marriage), Outgoing, Best Friends and Lovers