Robert and Rachel met through an online dating site - he managed to be clever without making a joke about her being a redhead. Robert has always challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, to worry less about the future and to fully experience the joys of our life together. He believes in me more than anyone I know, and has been my constant cheerleader. He might be prouder of my accomplishments than I am, and he dedicates so much time thinking about what he can do to improve my life. I cannot think of anything better than spending my life with him. - Rachel Rachel embodies the perfect balance of kindness, care, and down to earth candor needed to be an amazing partner. She comforts me through every struggle and challenges me to accomplish the goals I set my mind to no matter how ambitious. She believes in the best aspects of me and helps me to improve the parts worth improving. I choose to spend my life with Rachel because she has chosen to love and accept every side of me and she thinks I'm wonderful. - Robert

We are both drawn to learning more about the world around us, and the past year has caused us to become highly engaged with the news. One thing that has had a huge influence in the development of our relationship is a series of political podcasts by digital empire Crooked Media, founded by former staffers of President Obama. Their passion for politics and policy, from the day to day of the 2016 election to the larger ideals that domestic and foreign policy represent, has caused us both become more thoughtful, engaged citizens who value democracy. We have been highly invested in their podcast for well over a year, and consider ourselves "Friends of the Pod". One of their podcasts "Lovett or Leave It" features former Obama speechwriter Jon Lovett who hosts a panel of comedians to discuss the weekly news in front of a live studio audience (Lovett is a straight shooter respected on both sides). On a trip to Los Angeles, Robert bought tickets for to see Lovett or Leave It live. Little did Rachel know that he had been working behind the scenes with the Crooked Media staff. After she was called on stage to answer some trivia questions about the news of the week, Robert surprised Rachel on stage to propose. In addition to getting engaged, Rachel got to meet the hosts of the podcasts she's been listening to religiously for two years.

We'll be getting married on September 29th, 2018 at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland, WA. We hope that you will be able to join us and celebrate a lifetime of love, laughter and doing the New York Times crossword together.