Sam & Tanya

Brooklyn, NY

Sam, 35, owner, Simple Cafe

When apartment-hunting in Williamsburg, Brooklyn three years ago, Tanya stopped by Simple Café for a coffee break. The Red Hook, NY native and AmeriCorps member was immediately drawn to the cafe’s charismatic French owner, Sam, originally from Grenoble. The two hit it off, and whether that influenced Tanya’s decision to move to the neighborhood remains a mystery. They now live together with their dog, Collette, in Williamsburg, where Sam’s cafe is famous for its homemade bread and French-American cuisine. They both enjoy dancing, playing Scrabble, games of football in the park and chocolate—and Tanya’s work as a PeaceFirst teacher for international conflict resolution undoubtedly keeps their disagreements to a minimum. They prioritize each other’s happiness, and spending time with both families is key, though Sam’s European tough-love attitude is a marked contrast to Tanya’s sweet nature. Tanya is often heard saying of Sam, “Isn’t that so cute? I just love her so much!,” while Sam replies, “Stop saying I’m cute!” Clearly these girls are crazy about each other.