Our First Date Date: Sunday, February 8th, 2015 Location: North Side Social in Arlington, Virginia His Drink: Double IPA from Blue Mountain Brewery Her Drink: Extra 4 from Brouwerij St. Bernardus What We Remember Most "I was already thinking of ways to set up a second date before we had even left our first date" Brad " I didn't want the conversation to end... we were the last to leave the restaurant when they closed!" Rachel

Every year in Washington DC the famous Cherry Blossom trees bloom at the tidal basin surrounding the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Once the flowers bloom there is a very small window of time to see them at their peak before the petals fall. Going to visit the Cherry Blossoms is a yearly ritual of Brad and Rachel's, so this year was no different. As an avid photographer, Brad had this vision of photographing the blossoms during the morning golden hour and asked Rachel to come with him Sunday of peak bloom. Because of the lighting, they had to be there no later than 7:19 AM. The night before the two of them set their alarms for bright and early. When the alarm when off at 6:30 AM Rachel was anything but happy. She was tired and wanted to stay in bed. Brad jumped up, proceeded to make a pot of coffee and urged Rachel to get moving. First she wanted to go in pajamas and then gym clothes. Rachel was being very difficult. Brad remained confident and persistent, promised her donuts afterwards, and eventually got her in the car and on their way. This was at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, so there were few people at the blossoms that morning. After setting up his tripod at the perfect spot, Brad asked Rachel to stand in the frame to take a few test shots. He asked a fellow photographer to take a photo of the two of them. This is when he got down on one knee and asked Rachel if she would spend the rest of her life with him.