Nicolina and Sam met in Myrtle Beach in 2019 just before starting their medical internships at Grand Strand Medical Center – Nicolina as an internal medicine resident and Sam as a transitional year resident prior to his residency in radiation oncology in San Antonio, TX. Sam would tell you they met on the first day of orientation, while Nicolina remembers meeting him at a post-orientation celebration.

Throughout the year their friendship grew while spending time with their co-residents, quoting to each other from some of their favorite TV shows and movies, as well as through their shared love of the beach. Myrtle Beach holds a special place for them both as a favorite yearly summer vacation destination; the city further grew in importance for Nicolina after her parents relocated permanently from their home in Massachusetts.

Eventually, the stars aligned in the spring of 2020 when they went on their first date in March. While that month was the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, their programs turned to a week-on week-off duty schedule, allowing them plenty of time to enjoy beach walks, outdoor runs, bike rides, and cooking together (Nicolina still believes this may have been her healthiest time ever given all of the outdoor activities). Sam eventually got to meet Cheryl and Patsy, where his ill-fated attempt at creating a homemade pizza was not held against him (neither was the time he tried to use a knife while eating spaghetti – or so he hopes). Nicolina got her turn at meeting the Andersens first in Rock Hill, then his extended family at their yearly beach reunion where she introduced them to Patsy & Friends’ vintage of homemade wine (which was well-received by all).

When the time came for Sam to move to Texas, they made the decision to continue to see each other, and even attained preferred traveler status with all the flights they took to visit. While the distance was difficult at times, absence truly made their hearts grow fonder for each other. Over the course of the years of long-distance dating, many exciting events took place including Nicolina matching into a Hematology-Oncology fellowship in Jackson, MS, celebrating the marriages of their friends, and the births of children to those friends.

Sam thought he knew from early on that Nicolina was The One, though it did take him some time to propose – so much so that when he asked her on her birthday in 2022, in her living room in Jackson, it took her by full surprise. Their engagement has been long, but good things are worth waiting for.

Now, with great excitement, Sam and Nicolina are looking forward to celebrating their own nuptials with their family and great friends from a lifetime of education and training. They are overjoyed at the prospect of having their loved ones together in a city which has meant so much to them. After the wedding, they plan to build a life together in Myrtle Beach where they will practice together at the Coastal Cancer Center after residency and fellowship.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and we can’t wait to see you all on October 19th!

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