Freshmen dorms babyyyyy! Nate and Rachel both picked the 11th floor penthouse of Chadbourne dormitory at UW-Madison. On move-in day Rachel remembers Nate had nice arms and was carrying the biggest TV she had ever seen (32 inches), while Nate remembers Rachel being down to earth and warm to everyone around her. They became neighbors… fast friends… and best friends for two years before stumbling into a relationship in the spring of sophomore year.

Rachel took Nate to the hospital for a minor-surgery and the nurse checking in asked Nate who he had brought with him today. Panicking because they had not yet had “the talk” – Nate looked at Rachel and sheepishly said, “best friend… … … girlfriend?” Not able to talk about it in that moment, the nurse wheeled Nate down the hallway to the OR and brought him back about an hour later. Doped up, sleepy, and not totally sure where he was, Nate asked to make it official (to which Rachel happily agreed). For about a week afterwards, Rachel wasn't convinced that Nate remembered this conversation and ten years later they’re still unsure if they’ve ever truly been “dating." Regardless, the fact remains they've been steadfast best friends and in love for over a decade.

Nate and Rachel were away at a cabin in Cripple Creek for a long weekend. While grilling dinner in their pajamas and watching the sunset over the mountains from the deck, Nate got down on one knee and asked the big question. The two celebrated with star-gazing, hiking, seltzers, and eating turkey-dogs with their pup Oliver.