"Love of my life"— Love During Lockup season 3 Sam reflects on his relationship with Krystal

New sets of couples were introduced in Love During Lockup season 3 December 13, 2024, episode. In one of the sets, an EMT from Oregon married an inmate at the Christina Milton Crane Unit in Gatesville, Texas, after meeting through a prison pen pal website.

"I never thought I'd find my soulmate in prison. I never thought I'd find even a friend in prison, but Krystal is the love of my life," Sam shared during a filmed conversation.

Sam relocated 2000 miles within three months of their first communication to marry Krystal, who is serving a 14-year sentence for assault with a deadly weapon. As reflected in Love During Lockup season 3, two years into their marriage, Sam works as an ambulance medic while maintaining daily scheduled prison calls at strict times. Krystal has completed seven years behind bars with seven more remaining.

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Love During Lockup's Sam opens up about 7-year wait for imprisoned wife

Sam's life transformed after finding Krystal's profile on a Texas prison dating website.

Their connection grew through letters and calls, leading to Sam's first flight to Texas for an in-person meeting. The Love During Lockup season 3 couple’s wedding preparations occurred while adhering to prison protocols. Sam received a letter from Krystal, causing him visible emotion as he read her words:

"Thank you, my love, for standing by me every step of the way."

The relationship faces unique obstacles due to prison restrictions. Their daily routine includes scheduled phone calls at predetermined times, always monitored by prison staff. During one recorded conversation, she asked about his meals and social interactions, showing concern about his life outside prison walls. Sam maintains his commitment despite the challenges, stating,

"I married Krystal knowing her release date is seven years from today. I'm prepared to attempt at least to wait and deal with it and stand by her."

Love During Lockup season 3 couple’s interactions happen through supervised visits, with no private moments allowed.

Before meeting Sam, Krystal faced legal troubles at age 19 that led to her current incarceration. During a heated argument with her then-husband, she used kitchen knives, resulting in a 14-year prison sentence for assault charges.

"It was a very addiction-fueled volatile relationship," Krystal explained in her account of events.

She has completed seven years of her sentence at Christina Milton Crane Unit. Sam's path to this relationship began after ending his first marriage.

After their divorce, he specifically searched Texas prison websites, explaining his choice:

"Texas women carry a reputation. I think that they're beautiful, that they're honest, that they're raw."

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Current situation

The Love During Lockup season 3 couple's marriage now operates within strict prison guidelines. Krystal voices concerns about their limited connection, saying,

"We only have the surface level of a relationship. You can't have s*x. You can't stay the night. We don't have that physical bond yet."

Trust issues surface in their conversations. Krystal monitors Sam's social activities through phone calls, warning him during one conversation:

"Don't let Cameron influence you to like, go hang out with other girls or whatever, you know? If I find some stuff, we're going to have some issues buddy."

Sam describes this dynamic, stating,

"Krystal can be a jealous little Munchkin, very much so... She's a puppet master and it's hard to be the puppet, but she's the woman I love."

Sam moved his entire life to Texas to maintain their relationship, while Krystal focuses on completing her remaining sentence. She admits to keeping certain details of her life private, acknowledging,

"I haven't been completely honest with Sam."

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Fans can catch Sam and Krystal’s storyline in Love During Lockup season 3’s fresh episodes.