CC & Sammy

Late July 2023. Carolyn knew Sam was her ride back to the airport from a wedding at Mt. Hood Organic Farms. Sam only knew that he was driving someone back to Portland—nothing more.

Under the glow of the setting sun on July 28, 2023, in the foothills of Mt. Hood, Sam and Carolyn met. As you can imagine, the sparks were COOKIN' immediately. Upon their first handshake, Sam launched into his signature directness: "I'm Sam Rogers—you're Carolyn? Oh yeah, I'm taking you back to Portland on Monday. So what's up? You've got a 6pm flight? No plans during the day? Wanna hang out?"

Butterflies flew as this bold and distinct charm disarmed Carolyn, who replied coolly, "Sure."

The rest of the weekend unfolded as a magical mix of curiosity, conversation, and pounding hearts—culminating in an exchange of phone numbers over after-party crab rangoons. That Monday, Carolyn, Sam, and Lola piled into the 4Runner, made a brief detour across state lines for Carolyn's first visit to Washington, and headed toward Portland.

Back in PDX, a picnic among the old growth on top of Mt. Tabor—complete with a deep charcuterie board, a boutique loaf, and a bottle of ice-cold French white wine—was interrupted only by Lola, who took advantage of their total absorption in each other and went in for a generous hunk of loaf, chomping it down as if in slow motion. Mutual feelings were sealed by the steal—and Carolyn's flight was rescheduled for the next morning.

Over the next 20 months, Sam and Carolyn racked up 46 flights between Denver and Portland. Sam did everything possible to secure Economy Comfort or better, while Carolyn remained perfectly content as a last-row, middle-seat heathen. Since that magical meeting near Mt. Hood, this iconic place has remained foundational to their story. They celebrated their first anniversary camping at "The Spot" along Forest Road 44, with the serenity of a Mt. Hood sunset seemingly within reach.

On their second anniversary—Sam and Lola now official Colorado residents—Carolyn and Sam said "Yes" to spending the rest of their lives together.

And on their third anniversary, July 26, 2026, they invite their ever-important community back to where it all began: Mt. Hood Organic Farms.

Join Carolyn and Sam in celebrating their love by Mt. Hood, where...