It all started on a golf course—of all places. I was in Nairobi in July, which is rare for me because it’s always cold that time of year, and I usually avoid traveling then. But having just relocated from NYC to Paris, I figured, why not switch things up? I was meeting the girls later that evening to celebrate my birthday and thought, why not play a little golf during the day?

That morning, I called Mathenge—the ever-reliable starter at Kenya Railways Golf Club—and asked him to find me a game. As usual, he said, “Maureen, just come at 11, I’ll sort you out.” Kenya Railways isn’t even a course I frequent; I probably play there once a year. But off I went.

When I arrived, Mathenge pointed out two guys I’d be playing with. I walked up to the ladies’ tee and waited for them to tee off. I then teed off and said hello. One of the guys politely greeted me—warm, kind, just the right amount of curiosity. The other one? Let’s just say he couldn’t be bothered—LOL. (That one was just his friend.)

My first impression of him? I thought, Oh, what a polite and kind guy. But honestly, I didn’t think much of it at the time. We exchanged a few light conversations as we played, nothing too deep. I wasn’t thinking about relationships—just soaking up my birthday and the game.

After we finished, I had a couple of hours before dinner, and he offered to buy me a glass of wine. It was a thoughtful gesture—and I was curious. Turns out, he had his virtual farewell party that afternoon (he was moving to a new organization), and he invited me to join in. So I had my two glasses of wine, we exchanged numbers, and I left to meet the girls for dinner—not knowing that moment would be the beginning of something truly special.

I stayed in Nairobi for about two weeks before heading back to Paris. During that time, we met up several times—dining, hanging out, and of course, playing more golf. As we spent time together, I came to learn more about Sam—his ambition, his kindness, and the depth of his character. He was easy to talk to, we shared a hobby, he looked good (obviously), he was driven, warm, and genuinely fun to be around. Every moment made me want to know him more.

When I returned to Paris, we continued to talk every night. I couldn’t wait to return to Kenya in December. And when I did, something had shifted. It felt… different. Something was blooming. One evening, we went out for dinner at a cozy Chinese restaurant in Kilimani. That night, he asked me out. And just like that, we were us.

Our first trip together was to Bordeaux, France. We both love wine, and sharing that experience together—just the two of us exploring, sipping, laughing—was one of the most amazing times we’ve had. We’ve continued to travel and discover new places together, and one unforgettable memory was watching the 2024 Olympics in France. Being there, experiencing it all side by side, was nothing short of magical.

At some point, he casually said he would marry me. I remember thinking, yeah right. But here we are—laughing, loving, and living this journey together.