We met our freshman year in Dr. Katash's chemistry lab class. The pressure to not be called on our shit (and general unpreparedness) by the professor had us leaning on each other for support during the interrogation held at the beginning of every class. Rachel took the first step to expand their growing friendship outside of school and before the second semester began they were inevitable.

After nearly seven years together, it came as no surprise to anyone that a proposal was imminent. But after Rachel's trip to Italy in the spring, Matt knew he wanted to propose. He set out to work with his father to design a custom ring box in the shape of a book that was carved completely by hand. It was not until later that Matt learned that Rachel's grandmother had been proposed to with a ring placed inside the cutout of a book. It seemed fated. Matt planned many iterations of the day of the proposal around things they both held dear to them: volleyball, board games with friends, etc. But it was after a perfect day filled with a trip to some of their favorite spots (Barnes and Noble and Costco of course), cooking at home, and working on a wedding playlist that Matt knew a day spent so contently together was right in the end.