Tax season, for some this is a scary time, for them it was the beginning of their story. John was working in the field in North Dakota, two weeks on and one week off. Rachael was completing her last semester of college at Texas A&M and getting ready to start her career. John had come to College Station to complete his taxes with his DU (Ducks Unlimited) buddy Zach, when it was suggested they go out to the Piano Bar to reminisce on their college days. On the way there, Zach asked if it would be alright to invite a couple of gals from DU that he knew. What single guy would say no to that? A little while later Zach and John were sitting at the bar, when in walked Rachael and her friend Bailey. The night started out normal as any night when people first meet. There was the awkward small talk, trying to not look each other in the eyes too often or too long, and waiting for the right moment to ask to buy her a drink. As the night progressed they started to open up more, talking about their passion for hunting, taste in old cars (John having recently bought a '72 Chevelle and Rachael being a fanatic of the '69 Camaro), and love for all things outdoors. Before they knew it, they were chatty Kathys singing along to the fan favorite songs written on napkins and given to Russell the pianist. It was paradise for both of them, then mayhem struck. John walked to the bathroom and upon his return Rachael was gone. Over the next few months, the two of them went on living their lives as normal. Then one day in August, John received a message from his buddy Taylor asking him what he thought of Rachael. Unbeknownst to John, Taylor and Rachael had met up at a Houston DU meeting that day and were talking about their relationships. Taylor asked Rachael if she was talking to anyone, to which she responded no. She had not forgotten about John though, and wondered why he never asked for her number that night at Piano Bar. Less than a week later John and Rachael went on their first date.

Lake Geneva, WI, a place special to Rachael and her family while embodying her love for the lake. Both our families had traveled in for a family weekend, and aside from the Griswold family travel problems the night before, the day started at 6:30am when I awoke a complete nervous wreck. The day kicked off with a trip to the beach for a family picnic, followed by a boat ride on the lake enjoying the Wisconsin summer before returning back to the house. That's when the nerves really kicked in. At one point Rachael's Aunt Kathy asked if I was nervous, to which I held up my hand shaking like a 1950's Sears vibrating belt exercise machine. Once ready, we all headed down to the country club to drop everyone off before Uncle Tony and I parked the truck where he gave me some final words of encouragement. I could barely talk standing on the patio and finally worked up the courage to grab another drink with my sister, where she gave me the ring she had been holding for me. Upon returning, I asked Rachael if she would like to go down to the water and check out the sunset before dinner. After momentarily discussing which dock to watch the sunset on (Rachael wanted to go to the wrong dock) I eventually won out and we went to the one that was not surrounded by boats and everyone could see us in the open. There was a photographer taking photos on the dock, so I asked him if he minded us going to see the water to which he obliged (this was his cue). I walked Rachael halfway down the dock before finding a bench to set my beer down where I told her how much I loved her before getting down on one knee to ask her to be my wife. Of course she said yes! Once she put the ring on, the beach erupted with cheers as all the guests had been watching. After the crying and laughing and a few pictures to capture the joy of the moment, we capped the evening off with a celebratory dinner and dancing which also included a surprise visit from our friends the Minor's and our new founded family.