Sometimes life brings two people together in ways you could never plan. Justin was born and raised in northeastern Wisconsin, and the Marines brought him to California, where he served for four years. Rachel will always be grateful that the Marines brought him to California. Rachel was born and raised in Southern California, and somehow their paths crossed exactly when they were meant to. They met on Bumble and planned their first date at the Anaheim Packing House. In true fashion, Rachel was running late, and Justin was over an hour early, but he chose to wait for her. When Rachel arrived, Justin surprised her by bringing Harry Potter books and packs of pencils for her classroom, something she had only mentioned in passing. As a teacher, she is always looking for ways to support her students, and that small gesture meant everything to her. It showed the kind of person Justin is at his core, and it was the way straight to her heart. What was meant to be a casual night turned into hours of conversation over grilled cheese. They stayed until closing, not wanting the night to end. After that first date, they spent every day together for a week straight and have been inseparable ever since. Justin later shared that even in those early days, he had already told his friends that Rachel was the one. Four years later, Justin asked Rachel’s father for permission to marry his daughter and planned a surprise proposal at Victoria Beach, one of Rachel’s favorite places. With the ocean as their backdrop and both of their families there to celebrate, he got down on one knee and asked Rachel to spend forever with him. Everyone knew, except Rachel, who had no idea until that very moment. It took a moment for it to sink in, but when it finally did, she jumped up and down with joy. Surrounded by the people they love most, she said yes. They celebrated the evening by enjoying dinner together and watching the sunset over the ocean, a night they will always remember and cherish forever. Today, with two dogs and a bearded dragon, they are continuing to build a life they love and know that home is wherever they are together with their girls, Roary and Freya.