The bride and groom first met online while Rachael was on a trip helping provide orthotics to individuals in a third world country. The bride was studying for her board exams and the groom was very patient in getting her to commit to going on a date. During their time chatting, Erik noticed that his sister and Rachael were sorority sisters at MSU (different times of course). From there, a first date was set in stone after the bride completed her boards, and they met at a little place called ‘Side Bar’ in Grand Rapids MI.

The bride and groom had a typical trip planned to go up north (Petoskey) for the weekend to see family and go skiing. Little did Rachael know, that weekend was to be anything but a normal weekend getaway. Two weeks before the trip, Michigan was hit with a polar vortex and winds out of the north created what is known as "Blue Ice" in the Straits of Mackinaw. This natural phenomenon only occurs every few years with the right temperature and wind. Rachael had messaged Erik a picture of the Blue Ice she saw on Instagram the week prior to the trip, and had no idea that Erik had already planned to take her to see it. Behind the scenes, Erik was not planning on skiing but to propose on the ice. He had asked Rachael's family for their blessing over the holidays and was waiting for the right moment to pop the question. On the morning of the proposal, Erik's grandparents (Norma and David) decided to join the couple on the trip up to the Blue Ice. The group ventured out to the ice and with Grandma in hand (for balance), Erik searched for the special spot. After about 10 minutes, the group came to the best setting. Erik gave Rachael's phone to a random couple on the ice and whispered to them, “please take lots of good photos” (with a wink). After the first few photos, Rachael thinking they were done, Erik grabbed her hand and got down on one knee. Rachael in awe was so surprised she forgot about the hundreds of other people on the ice. Rachael said yes and after there was a round of applause on the ice for the newly engaged couple. With all of this is in motion, two of the most influential people in Erik's life, his Grandparents, were shocked as they also had no idea what was planned. The special moment was made even more so with their presence. Diamonds on ICE in the middle of Lake Huron 2-20-21.