Rachel and Jesus met the summer of 2013. Having recently graduated college, Rachel started a job at Rosa Mexicano restaurant to bide her time until the start of culinary school. Throughout the summer, Rachel and Jesus shared mutual work friends. Little did they both know, their friends (Lucia and Jessica) were scheming to connect them. Lucia decided to set them up by inviting them both to a local bar, but things didn’t go as planned and that night never came to fruition. Fast forward to November of this same year, Lucia and Jessica invited Rachel to go out for dinner and drinks. Rachel thought it was just another outing with friends from work, however once she approached the car, she realized that this was another set up. With her friends in the backseat and Jesus in the driver's seat (his car impeccable and cologne strong), Rachel laughed as she realized what was really happening.

The first stop that night was the Sun Dial restaurant which is famous for its rotating bar that overlooks the dazzling Atlanta skyline. The next stop was Alma Cocina, a modern Mexican restaurant that has killer drinks and the best fried cheese you will ever eat! The effort in planning such a great night was not lost on Rachel. She talked about how she couldn’t wait to see the second Hunger Games movie and Jesus swiftly offered to take her, but this time no one else was invited. Because their first solo date was around Thanksgiving, Jesus had to meet Rachel’s Granddad and Father the very FIRST time he came to pick her up (yikes). Luckily, he passed the test, with Rachel’s Dad commenting on how firmly Jesus shook his hand and how he had good eye contact. During that date they both realized that this could possibly be something special. Jesus was the perfect gentleman and Rachel had a feeling of “this is too good to be true,” but something told her to just go with it. Throughout the holidays, they continued to date and noticed how much they genuinely loved just being around each other.

This new romance felt peaceful, secure, and destined. No guessing, no games, no grief. Rachel and Jesus made it official January 10, 2014, at Tongue and Groove on an exciting night out with friends. From that very moment, they have been inseparable. Growing and learning together through jobs (good and bad), school, internships, career pivots, a major injury, family deaths, a global pandemic, and all that life has thrown at them so far. They are both ready to enter this next chapter and unite their families in love, commitment, and faith. As true partners in crime, it’s time to be #alwaysalcocer.