They always say you'll find love when you least expect it. We were just two unsuspecting singles who swiped right on each other. Our first date was full of witty banter and great conversation. One date turned into two and then into forever. #tinder #loveseternalflame
It was Wednesday, September 8th, Rachel's birthday, she was anticipating Caleb to plan some sort of date to celebrate...nothing big as they were headed away for a long weekend in Asheville with friends. The morning turned into afternoon and Rachel was starting to feel a little disappointed to find that no plans had been made. When Caleb got home that night they ended up ordering takeout and she expressed to Caleb that she really was hoping he could have been a bit more thoughtful. Caleb bit his tongue. The next day they were packing up for Asheville. Caleb suggested that they drive separately as the car was seeming a little too full. Rachel was not enthused by the idea and texted her girlfriends how strange Caleb was being and was feeling on edge. It was Friday morning and the first full day in Asheville. The whole gang went for a hike and a brewery and Rachel again noticed how quiet and weird Caleb was being. Was he hangry? Was it the cardio? Were they breaking up? Something wasn't right. Rachel tried to get the group to head back to the house but oddly no one would budge. It was as if everyone was just wasting time, Finally home and finally fed, Rachel thought surely Caleb will be back to his normal self. Coming out to the pool where she was with friends, Caleb told Rachel to get ready and that they had surprise dinner plans. Quickly, Rachel got ready and assured Caleb that she wasn't upset about her birthday and didn't have to go out of his way to make it up to her. Driving to dinner Caleb told Rachel that he had been planning this surprise for a while and how hard it was not to tell when she had been so disappointed on her birthday. He wouldn't tell her where they were going and suddenly the wheels started turning in Rachel's mind. While packing Caleb had mentioned bringing one nice outfit "just in case". She noticed he was wearing the same outfit as on their first date, one that Rachel loved. Pulling into the Grove Park Inn, Caleb had arranged for dinner overlooking the mountains and then to watch sunset on the pavillion. He even suggested having a stranger take some photos of them...very uncharacteristic. Rachel had a different strange feeling that she hadn't before. Was Caleb proposing? She texted her sister telling her she had a weird feeling that she couldn't shake. Dinner and sunset came and went and they headed home. She assumed she was just caught up in the moment and it was just a nice romantic dinner. They arrived home to rejoin the group who had decorated the house with birthday decorations while they were gone. Rachel's friend Alli insisted that she open birthday gifts in front of everyone. At 32, Rachel tried to avoid it and said she'd open them in a bit but she insisted. A final gift was brought into the room, a big cylinder tube with ROGUE printed on it. Rachel knew it must be a barbell for their home gym. Caleb told her to open it. She pulled the barbell slightly out of the tube, just enough to see that she was correct. Not wanting to hit the walls of their airbnb, she thanked him and tried to put it back for safekeeping. He insisted she take it out for everyone to see. Being slightly difficult, she finally agreed and realized the barbell said "Rachel Chauncey" across it. Turning to Caleb confused and in shock, there he was on one knee.