It all began back in middle school—Rachel in 7th grade, Joey in 8th. Rachel remembers thinking he was cute, but she never imagined he’d feel the same way. Life had its own plans, though. By the time Rachel was in 8th grade and Joey was a freshman, the two started talking more. One night, while Rachel was at a friend’s sleepover, Joey asked her out. At first, she wasn’t sure—until her friend gave her a little push and said, “Go for it.” Rachel decided to give it a shot… and that was the beginning of everything. Fast forward nearly six years, and what started as a middle school crush has turned into a lifetime of memories: late-night conversations, countless laughs, adventures big and small, and a love that’s grown stronger through every season of life. Now, we’re getting ready to say “I do” and begin our forever. From those shy smiles in school hallways to planning our wedding day, our journey has been nothing short of magical—and we can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes us.