8: Slid Into His DMs at 19… Now We’ve Been Married for 9 Years | How We Met Part 1

Before the businesses, the marriage, the home, and the life they've built together, **Samantha and Durelle Bailey** were two nineteen-year-olds living in different countries with no mutual friends, no plan, and no idea where one simple conversation would lead. In Part 1 of their love story, they share how a chance interaction on Instagram turned into late-night phone calls, a long-distance relationship, and the first moments that made them realize they had found the person they would spend the rest of their lives with. They also reflect on the power of building with someone before either of you has life figured out, why character mattered more than finances, and how family, faith, and timing shaped the foundation of the relationship they have today. Whether you're dating, navigating long distance, or still waiting for your person, this *The Bailey Way* episode highlights how the strongest relationships often begin long before either person has everything together. Listen in as this episode serves as a reminder that sometimes one message can change your entire future. **KEY POINTS:**  - The Instagram comment that started it all - Their unforgettable first meeting in Florida - The moment Samantha knew Durelle was her husband - Why they believed in building together instead of waiting for perfection - How long distance strengthened their relationship - The role both families played in their journey - Why potential matters more than polished success - The first chapter of the love story that changed both of their lives **QUOTES:**  *"Everything should be operating as a unit, operating as one." – Durelle Bailey* *"I feel so safe. I feel so taken care of." – Samantha Bailey*  *"We weren't able to solve each other's problems, but we had each other to deal with them together." – Durelle Bailey*  *"I think that you miss out on so much about a person when you don't want somebody with potential." – Samantha Bailey*  **RESOURCES:**  **Follow Samantha:** IG: @samanthacassandra TikTok: @samanthacassandra\_  **Follow Durelle:** IG: @durellebailey TikTok: @durellebailey The Bailey Way is produced by EPYC Media Network