Let’s rewind to 9 years ago. The second period bell just rang for the fourth time signalling my tardiness as I darted into Mr. Foley’s World Cultures class overcome with butterflies in my stomach, not because there was a test I didn’t study for, but because it was the first class in our years at Hershey that I had a class with Rachel VonArx. Typically, this was a class I would struggle to stay awake for, but I had 180 school days to try to make an impression on Rachel. Unfortunately, our story doesn’t quite begin here as I could never summon up the courage to get to know her better, although I did catch her checking me out quite a few times, even though Rachel might tell you differently :). As Junior year of high school started, the season of homecoming dance proposals began. As the dance approached, I hadn’t thought much of going until one of my best friends from 2nd grade (Mike Dexheimer, groomsman) texted me and asked if I still wanted to go with anyone. I thought about it for a while before responding, “maybe, why?!”. Not much time passed before his date told him that Rachel needed a date. First, I was shocked that she didn’t have a date but i knew she played hard to get. Then, I remembered all of the awkward eye contact we made in class sophomore year and decided that maybe I had a shot. Naturally, like any confident guy, I decided to sneak a note in Rachel’s locker to avoid any type of face to face interaction and to avoid any humiliation if she rejected me! Thankfully, she said yes, not knowing what she was getting herself into and probably unaware that she would be stuck with me through the remainder of high school, four years at Penn State, and forever.

I couldn’t be more thankful to have such a smart, strong, selfless, and beautiful best friend like Rachel. While I certainly test her patience on some days, we couldn’t imagine what life would be like if we both didn’t have dates for that homecoming dance 8 years ago. I think that I can speak for both Rachel and I when I say that we couldn’t be more thankful for our friends and family for shaping us into the people we are today and for being so supportive of our relationship throughout the years. We couldn’t be more excited to start a new journey together on September 26th and we can’t wait for all of our friends and family to be there on this day that we will remember forever. -Aaron

As I began the 5 hour drive to Hershey from Saratoga Springs, New York, to be with my family for my birthday, I couldn’t help but drive a little faster because I knew that tomorrow Aaron was making the drive to Hershey from D.C for the weekend too. Since I had been in Saratoga completing my 11 month long dietetic internship, Aaron and I were lucky if we saw each other once a month for a weekend at a time. This was unfamiliar territory for us after attending the same high school and college together for the past 6 years! Little did I know that this weekend would be the most memorable of my life.

The next day I couldn’t sit still. Aaron and I had plans to visit Spring Gate Vineyard in Harrisburg for my birthday, but I was just excited to finally see him again. I will never forget how slow the last 15 minutes passed as I waited for him alone at the side door of my parents' house while they were “out to dinner”. Little did I know that I was actually waiting for my best friend to propose to me. Finally, he arrived and I rushed out to give him a big squeeze like you give someone special when you haven’t seen them in a long time. Finally, after we let each other go, Aaron raced back to his car as if he had forgotten something (apparently I threw him off by waiting for him at the side door, Woops!). I watched him pull out the box and take a knee to propose and in an instant I felt like the happiest and luckiest person in the entire world. He looked like he was shaking so much and I quickly said yes and hugged him as happy tears filled my eyes. His plan was so simple and perfect and it was just us, which made me feel so comfortable. There was plenty of crying, laughing, and a bottle of champagne that my mom set up (and hid from me) for us in the house to quickly celebrate. In the meantime, both of our families were at the Mill restaurant in Hershey who we joined to celebrate. It was an incredible weekend and I am so excited to marry my best friend and high school sweetheart! We look forward to spending the best day of our lives with all of you! -Rachel