Jonas and Rachel met on a chance visit to Kansas City. Rachel's friend, Michelle (also a bridesmaid), had moved to Kansas City that March for her job, and Rachel was deciding on a weekend to visit. Torn between Memorial Day weekend or the weekend after, she finally decided to visit the weekend after once Michelle told her one of her favorite bands was playing a free concert that Friday night. Fast-forward to the trip, and Jonas ended up being in the group they went to the concert with. Had Rachel chosen to visit over Memorial Day weekend, the two likely would have never met, as Jonas was visiting friends in Dallas. Their connection was indescribable. The day after the concert, they were out with a group enjoying some cocktails on a patio. Someone in the group asked if anyone had heard of the board game Settlers of Catan. When Rachel replied "that is my favorite game!" Jonas blurted out "MARRY ME!" He popped the question for real 1,075 days later.

Rachel woke up on the morning of her birthday giddy and ready to relax before they took off for their trip to Amsterdam and Brussels the following day. After walking out into the kitchen, she found a card on the counter. Inside, Jonas wrote a sweet birthday message and gave a schedule of some fun activities he had planned for her that day. At 4 PM, Rachel headed to a nail salon to get a manicure and pedicure. The women at the salon were convinced Jonas was proposing, but Rachel tried to not psyche herself out. After the manicure and pedicure, she headed to a Salt Cave Spa for another pampering session. She mentally pinched herself several times. At 7, Jonas picked her up wearing his work clothes and work badge. In Rachel's eyes, she figured that meant he came straight from work and that there was no way he had gone home and set up for a proposal. The two headed to dinner at Linger in Denver. As dinner was winding down, Jonas mentioned that he still had some work to do before their trip the next day, so he was thinking they could just head home and relax and he could crank through some work. They had dessert and then hit the road back to their apartment. When they walked into the apartment, the TV was on, which was weird because Rachel hadn't left it on. Jonas grabbed the remote and pressed play. A photo slideshow started playing, and naturally Rachel started crying. She could feel Jonas' heart beating a million miles an hour. The slideshow ended, and Jonas flipped the lights on to show four orchids (Rachel's favorite), homemade red velvet cupcakes, and a bottle of Rachel's favorite wine on their end table. The two sat down and Jonas suggested she try one of the cupcakes to distract her. As she looked away, he pulled open the blinds to reveal a light box sign on their balcony that said "Rachel, will you marry me?" "A million times yes."

We are beyond excited to get to celebrate with the people nearest and dearest to our hearts. See you all in Minne!