Faith, Family, Friendship and Sports

Samantha and Lucas Wacha build their life together on a firm foundation

by VICKI MELDE

photo by MOLLY KENDRICK PHOTOGRAPHY

The University of Wyoming brought Samantha and Lucas together: he played football on scholarship, while she played golf on scholarship there.

Lucas caddies for Samantha during the Texarkana Children’s Charities Open Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT) professional golf tournament that was held last year at Northridge Country Club.

Lucas proposed to a totally surprised Samantha on December 31, 2019, at his parents’ home. 

It’s amazing how one day someone walks into your life, and you cannot remember how you ever lived without them. – Unknown 

While attending the University of Wyoming, a chance encounter at The Buckhorn in Laramie, Wyoming, was just that moment for Texarkana native Lucas Wacha.  He was playing football on scholarship for Wyoming while earning his bachelor’s degree in Math and Science.  Enter Samantha Stancato.  Beautiful Samantha Stancato!  She was also a student at Wyoming on a golf scholarship and pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Communication.  “For Lucas, there was definitely a spark,” Samantha shared.  “I wasn’t so sure.  We remained friends for a few months and ended up seeing each other at church a lot which is where we realized this could be a good thing.”

A love for sports definitely played a significant role in Lucas and Samantha discovering their love for each other.  Samantha was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  She grew up with two sisters, Lindsey and Stefanie, and a brother, Tony.  “I grew up playing sports but loved golf and basketball the most,” she recalled.  “I started playing golf competitively at 7 years old.  One of my favorite memories is going to the US Kids World Golf Championship in Jekyll Island, Georgia, with my family when I was a third grader.”

Lucas grew up in Texarkana, Texas, with his two older brothers, Charley and Michael, and younger sister, Brette.  He too has fond memories of family time spent playing sports and competing together.  Both Lucas and Samantha are very family oriented.

Their love of family and their faith also worked to create the strong bond they share.  When asked what quality they most admire about each other, their answers were very similar.  For Samantha, it is Lucas’s faith.  “We have grown together in our faith, and he is a huge part of that,” she explained.  “I also love his competitiveness.  Since we are both athletes, we understand each other when it comes to our respective sports and how much they mean to us.  I love how we support each other’s dreams and goals.”  

For Lucas, it is Samantha’s understanding and how patient she is.  “The way she has always supported me through the good and the bad is truly amazing,” he stated.  “Her faith practiced in the Catholic church also is a huge reason I’m in love with her!”    

Samantha and Lucas married on January 2, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Texarkana. (Photo by: Molly Kendrick Photography) 

Though it took a bit longer for Samantha to know that Lucas was “the one,” she found herself wanting to spend all her free time with him.  Their relationship is built on a very strong foundation of friendship.  Samantha was especially drawn to the way Lucas treated her family when he first met them.  It seems he definitely had her family’s approval from the start – even her little sister (who, in Samantha’s words, is “hard to please”) loved him immediately!

Lucas’s proposal of marriage was the culmination of seven years of dating.  “I proposed the same day I bought the ring,” he admitted.  “It was a surprise to her for sure because I didn’t even know I was going to do it!”  They were at Lucas’s parents’ house getting ready for a New Year’s Eve get together with their neighbors at the end of 2019.  Samantha recalled coming into his parent’s kitchen to find Lucas there with a Crocker’s Jewelers bag.  “I had asked for earrings for Christmas, so I immediately thought this was my late Christmas gift,” she reminisced.  “I opened the bag and the box inside, and it was empty!  I was so confused!”  The next thing Samantha knew, Lucas was down on his knee holding the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen.  “He was teary-eyed but asked if I would marry him, and I couldn’t believe it,” she shared.  “It was the easiest answer of my life to say YES!”

As most couples who planned weddings during the pandemic are quick to admit, it was definitely challenging.  They worked thru the logistics rather easily – with Lucas noting he “just tried to stay out of the way until Samantha needed help with something.”  The true challenge was with having family members all over the country – many of whom were unable to attend the ceremony.  While they completely understood, they both missed their presence.  “Thankfully, live streaming is a no-brainer these days, so they were able to be with us virtually,” they recalled.

Pandemic or not, on January 2, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, this dynamic young couple became Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Wacha.   They celebrated with family and friends with a reception at Northridge Country Club.  Lucas and Samantha have taken to heart some wonderful advice on marriage.  Samantha remembered wise words from their priest who married them … uncommunicated expectations are premeditated disappointments.  Lucas added the importance of patience.  “I and me become us and we.”

Aside from the common bond they have in their love of sports – playing them, watching them, anything to do with sports – the words they use to describe each other further demonstrate their commitment and mutual respect.

Samantha about Lucas:  loving, faithful, competitive

Lucas about Samantha:  beautiful, patient, understanding

The future is, no doubt, bright for this young couple who have joined their lives.  They plan to make Texarkana their home.  “We have some dreams and goals that we are still reaching for and one of those is definitely creating a family,” Samantha said.  “Texarkana is a great city and a great place to plant our roots.”  Lucas echoed her desire for children – “as many as God has in store for us!” 

Experts on romance say for a happy marriage, there has to be 

more than a passionate love.  For a lasting union,

they insist there must be a genuine like for each other.

Which in my book, is a great definition for friendship. – Marilyn Monroe

Lucas and Samantha – may your marriage built on your shared faith and 

that genuine like for each other bring you a lifetime of joy!

During their honeymoon to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Samantha and Lucas were able to relax and enjoy spending time with each other.