We met back in 2017 while working at a veterinary clinic. Robert swears he remembers the exact moment we met—but, unfortunately, I (Rachel) can’t say the same! What I do remember is that I’ve never been one to shy away from conversation, and from the beginning, talking to Rob came naturally. He was always known as the quiet one, but once you get to know him, you realize he’s anything but. We officially started dating on March 16th, 2019. Rob swears he always knew I was the one from the very beginning (he's sweet like that), and after only a short amount of time dating, I knew he was the one that I wanted to spend my life with. Everything just felt easy. We are each others' best friends (I know, so cliche) and truly work as a team in every part of life. Rob has been my rock—especially during my journey through nursing school. His support, his humor, and the way he cares so deeply for those around him are just a few of the things I love most about him. He makes life lighter and more fun, no matter what we’re doing. Some of our favorite memories are the spontaneous ones: unplanned road trips to Michigan, drive-in movie nights, or just discovering new places together. Hiking is one of our favorite things to do, especially when we get to bring our dog, Bear, along for the adventure. If we had to describe our relationship in a few words, we’d say it’s built on love, laughter, support, and teamwork.

Robert proposed on our five-year anniversary during a trip to South Haven, Michigan. What I didn’t know at the time was that he had been holding onto the ring for over a year, waiting for the moment to feel right. And that day, without any elaborate plan, just felt like the day. We made a few casual stops on our way before arriving in South Haven and heading straight to our favorite ice cream shop. Rob suggested we eat near the beach. After finishing our sweet treat, he suggested that we get out of the car and walk down the pier to watch the sunset, which would have been a very sweet gesture, except it was freezing that day. I didn’t exactly jump at the idea of getting out of the warm car, but Rob was determined. He dug around the car and found an assortment of hats, scarves, and gloves for me to bundle up in until I finally agreed to go. When we got to the pier, it was closed due to high waves, so Rob suggested we walk along the beach instead. Just as the sun was setting, he stopped, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes immediately! In all the excitement, I completely forgot about the ring—until Rob gently asked if I was planning to put it on. Oops! That made the moment even more “us”: heartfelt, a little funny, and totally unforgettable.