We're getting married!

Please save our NEW wedding date. Mike is going to the Atlantic County Police Academy to get his police certificate. Due to having class on 10/21/21, we have moved our date to November 4, 2021. We hope you can still make it! Thank you for your patience and understanding. Can't wait to celebrate with you!

Download The Guest App on your phone so you can instantly share photos you take at the wedding with us! Event code is: duker2021 ( http://in.veri.com/to/duker2021 ) and starts on 11/4/21 and ends 11/5/21. You can choose what to download to the app for everyone to see (wedding related) or have it auto share from your phone. If you do not wish to share every photo you take on 11/4/21... please be sure to turn off auto sharing. Sure, we're paying for a professional to take photo and video, BUT we love seeing photos from the guests' point of view! The more photos, the better! Since the day will go by so fast, we don't want to miss a thing! Of course, if you post on social media also, remember to use our hashtag dukertakesthekeyes. That's..... # D U K E R T A K E S T H E K E Y E S Our guests who use SnapChat, be sure to look out for our Geotag! (I think that's what it's called..?) Can't wait to see everyone having a blast! Now you can read on about our sappy love story...

On a cool, spring night in April, two high schoolers met for the first time. Rachael and Mike met from friends who were dating at the time. It was April 2009 when Rachael was a freshman in high school at Parsippany Hills and Mike was a sophomore at Livingston High. They attended different high schools, but were introduced when their friends had the idea of a set up. After a few times together, Mike went to Florida with his family for spring break. With time spent apart, their thoughts of each other grew. Mike's mom was wondering who he was texting all the time. "Who was this girl that had him distracted from vacation?" When he came home, they were able to be together again. Hanging out at friends’ houses, going to the Rockaway Mall, movies, ice cream, bonfires; it only took a few group dates to realize they wanted to make it official. Sitting outside by the fire pit, Rachael's friend (and Maid of Honor) called her and asked if Mike had asked her out yet. Since the phone was on speaker and Mike was right there, all Mike had to do was say, "well you know my question." Romantic, right? But that's just how their relationship is.

After 9 years of dating, moving to Florida together, getting a dog, starting careers, going to concerts, traveling, many date nights, and more, Mike finally proposed. On May 20, 2018, just before Mike was about to graduate the Police Academy in Orlando, FL, the two spent the day at Gator Land then went off to Disney Springs before picking up the dog at daycare. Mike and Rachael had been to Disney Springs a couple of times to just walk around and attend concerts. They enjoyed looking at the shops, the festivities, and showing family the nice scenery. At the Disney Springs' lake front, Mike took out the ring and asked Rachael to marry him. "FINALLY"

Rachael grew up in Parsippany. She played soccer, basketball, softball, and swimming growing up. She always dreamed of becoming a teacher. Mike was always supportive of her activities and dreams. He watched her at her games and supported her during student teaching and her college years. He continues to support her and be her rock during the good and bad. He is proud of her accomplishments and career. Rachael attended Montclair State University and completed a 5 year program for teaching. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Family and Child Studies and her Masters of Arts in Teaching. She loves chocolate, and doesn't care for hard candies. She will eat, or try, anything and everything pertaining to food. Mike grew up in Livingston, NJ. Unlike Rachael, Mike was not athletic and didn't really care for school, until he met her. He enjoyed working, ice skating, going to concerts, and playing guitar. He always dreamed of becoming a police officer like his father. Mike got his Associate of Science in Criminal Justice at CCM, and Police Officer Certificates at Valencia College in Florida. Rachael supports him through everything. Mike likes vanilla and sugary candies. He is a picky eater, but has opened his mind to trying new foods. As time went on, they found that they were not so different after all and they balanced each other out. They grew to like the same music, came to know each other's dreams for the future, accepted each other's flaws and embraced their similarities. They were accepted by each family and loved their support. Rachael and Mike, along with support from family and friends, moved to Florida to pursue their dream careers and experience life together. Mike attended the police academy and started working in New Smyrna Beach as a police officer. Rachael worked as a 5th grade teacher and a 3rd grade teacher. Now back in NJ, they can be close to family and friends and are glad to continue life & dreams together.