On a snowy day in January four years ago, we both swiped right and immediately struck up a conversation. Later that week, we met at a restaurant in downtown Raleigh called Gonza Tacos y Tequila. Just like any normal human beings who love cheese, we fell in love over queso. We ended the night in a jazz bar, drinking scotch-- neither of us wanting the night to end. Every year around that time in January, we go back to our favorite first date spot were it all began and fall in love... with the queso all over again.
On Valentine's Day of 2020, Rachaele went to get ready for what she thought would be a simple evening out at a local restaurant. After getting all dolled up, Gary came in and asked if she was ready to go. He then asked Rachaele to close her eyes and led her into the living room. When she opened her eyes, the room twinkled with candle lights, rose petals covered the floor, a slideshow was running with many of their favorite memories, and there was Gary on his knee. Gary surprised Rachaele by proposing in their first home together that Valentine's Day. They spent the evening celebrating by calling family and friends, drinking a lot of really great champagne and eating a wonderfully prepared steak dinner.