Alternatively, our story could be titled "6 Degrees of Separation" or "In DC You Always Know Somebody Who Knows Somebody," but those aren't quite as fun. Growing up in New Jersey, Rachel went to high school with Arshiya. Arshiya went to Governor's School with Liz. When Arshiya came to visit DC, where Rachel was living after attending GW, she introduced Rachel and Liz. The two realized they had other friends in common and became friends themselves. Previously, while at American, Jared became friends with Erin. Erin was in a sorority and took a little sister...Liz. Liz and Jared became friends. And so, Rachel and Jared both ended up at Liz's birthday party in 2013, both having decided that while they could only stay for one drink it was worth attending. Boy, was it worth it! They talked for a bit, Rachel gushing over her brand new kitten whom Jared found cute, but not as cute as the kitten's owner. And then they parted ways. Jared kicked himself for not asking for Rachel's phone number. Luckily, when you attend your friend's birthday party (and you have good friends), they will connect you. Less than a week later, Rachel and Jared went on their first official date.

On April 9, 2017 Rachel and Jared met in Center City Philadelphia. They were in town to celebrate Passover with Jared's family, Rachel having spent the previous few days with her cousins who live just outside the city. Rachel's cousins had tagged along for the trip into the city so that the group could all visit the Franklin Institute together. After spending the morning at the museum, the highlight of which was the oversized heart through which one could walk, Rachel and Jared said goodbye to her cousins. Jared led Rachel across Logan Square to the AMOR Statue in Sister Cities Park where they took a few selfies and, while Rachel looked at the photos on her phone, Jared knelt down and proposed, with a ring originally belonging to his maternal great grandmother. Rachel fought back tears and said "Yes!"