It all started at the Jewish Community Center of Paramus. Their older brothers Dan and Greg started Hebrew School together back in 1997. They grew closer as friends, and so did their parents. As their families grew closer, they all started spending more time with each other for Jewish holidays, Super Bowl parties, New Year's parties, etc. When Rachel was 13 years old in 8th grade (last year of middle school), and Todd was 15 years old in 9th grade (first year of high school), they started to spend more time together with their mutual friends. Months went by and their interest for each other grew stronger and stronger. When they finally both were in the same school, Todd asked Rachel to be his girlfriend on September 9th, 2007, and the rest is history!

It was the day before Rachel's 25th birthday, and Todd told Rachel they were going to brunch at a new restaurant in Jersey City that Rachel had been wanting to try out. They got to the restaurant, which is right on the Hudson next to a marina and Todd told Rachel they should take a few pictures before going to get a table since the view was so beautiful (and Todd knew how much Rachel loved taking pictures). On this particular day, Rachel was getting hangry and told Todd they'd take pictures after they ate. Todd dragged Rachel along anyway, telling her the table wasn't ready yet. A few minutes and many pictures later, Todd started to walk Rachel towards the exit of the restaurant, to which Rachel replied, "Where are we going, I'm hungry?!" They walked out of the restaurant to the boat dock, where they greeted a man wearing a captain's hat, who to Rachel's surprise, would be their boat captain for the day. In Rachel's mind she thought, wow, Todd's really going all out for her birthday this year! They walked onto a beautiful sailboat named "The Julia." They were greeted with mimosas, and a delicious brunch made on board. When the boat was nearing the Statue of Liberty, the captain told them "You should go up to the front of the boat, it's a great spot where people love to take pictures." With a gift bag in hand (for Rachel's birthday), they walked up to the front of the boat. Todd gave Rachel her gift, which was a book written by Chip and Joanna Gaines (from Fixer Upper, obviously) and a mug that said "Joanna Gaines is my spirit animal." Rachel went to give Todd a hug, when he got down on one knee and asked Rachel to spend the rest of their lives together. They kissed and hugged and celebrated the joyous moment with champagne, all while trying to hold onto the boat as it rocked back and forth. After enjoying the rest of the afternoon together on the boat, they continued to celebrate back at home where they were greeted by their closest family and friends.

Nobody could have imagined how our lives would be turned upside down over the last year and a half, and unfortunately this led Todd and Rachel to postpone their big wedding celebration. However, the love that Todd and Rachel share for each other could not be postponed so on their original wedding date of 9.6.2020, they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony with family. However, they are so incredibly excited that COVID numbers are dropping, people are getting vaccinated, and it's finally safe to celebrate with all of you!