Martin and Rachel’s story began in the summer of 2017 at Hope Summer Repertory Theatre in Holland, MI. Martin was in his 10th season as a percussionist, while Rachel was spending her first summer with the company as an actor, featured dancer, and assistant director. On the night of Annie the Musical’s opening—7/7/17, a date too perfect to forget—the cast gathered at New Holland Brewing Company to celebrate. Both sipping Michigan brews, Rachel admitted to a friend that she was too nervous to introduce herself to Martin. That friend, of course, had other plans and promptly dragged her by the wrist to say hello. Whatever was said in that first conversation must have worked, because the very next night, Martin asked Rachel to grab a drink at Butch’s Dry Dock. From that moment on, their summer was filled with late-night walks through downtown, endless conversations, and more unforgettable moments in the little lakeside town where they fell in love. And the rest, as they say, is history.

After finishing their degrees—Rachel at Western Michigan University and Martin at Grand Valley State University—they decided to take a leap and make Chicago their home. Martin had been accepted into Roosevelt University’s graduate program for Music Composition, and Rachel was ready to dive headfirst into the acting industry. For nearly six years (minus a brief pandemic hiatus), they built a life in this world-class city, working in the arts and fashion—Martin in custom suiting and menswear, Rachel in bridal styling—while making friendships that quickly turned into family. Their neighborhood Logan Square became their haven, filled with late-night tacos, strolls past the boulevards, and countless memories. No matter where life takes them, Chicago—and Logan Square—will always hold a special place in their hearts.

Life had a surprise in store when Martin was unexpectedly offered a job opportunity in Metro Detroit in the fall of 2024. While they weren’t ready to say goodbye to Chicago just yet, the chance to put down roots, buy a home near Rachel's family, and invest in the Motor City was too good to pass up—just sooner than expected! The couple has quickly embraced their new home in the Garden Homes neighborhood. Now that Marty & Rachel have began their next chapter, they’re settling in, exploring the area, and looking forward to this next adventure together in Detroit!