This story began in Pickens, SC while Rachel and Tyler were both working at Table Rock State Park during the summer of 2017. Small conversations and many closing shifts together, they quickly became friends. Rachel sent Tyler a snapchat asking him to be her plus one at a wedding in PA after only knowing him for a month or two. She was surprised he said yes to traveling 9 hours for a wedding in her hometown, which also meant staying with her parents. Rachel had fun explaining to her parents she was bringing a guy home that she wasn't dating (yet) to attend a friends wedding in September. Once Tyler ended his summer job at Table Rock to resume college classes at Clemson, he asked Rachel on a date. Their first date was at an indoor rock climbing gym where they had a blast (Tyler really enjoyed being on belay for Rachel throughout the entire date). Shortly after beginning to date, Rachel received her first full-time job offer in Apex, NC at Jordan Lake SRA as a Park Ranger. She found out she would be moving in late October 2017 after accepting her job offer. Tyler asked her on another date but this time it was outdoor rock climbing. Rachel had never been climbing outdoors before and really enjoyed Tyler's company (she was crushing hard) so said yes but followed up with telling Tyler not to make her fall in love with anything in the mountains since she was moving. They both knew she wasn't talking about outdoor rock climbing so of course (and thankfully) Tyler ignored that comment. In a matter of three months before the big move to NC, they tried to get as much quality time together as possible. They traveled to New Cumberland, PA for a wedding, spent a few days exploring Savannah, GA, toured the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, and even went backpacking along the foothills trail. Saying I love you came quick for the both of them. From late October 2017 through March 2020, Tyler and Rachel spent the better part of their time driving back and forth between Clemson and Apex trying their best to make the long distance work (wasn't always easy being 4.5 hours away). During Tyler's spring break in 2020, he decided to squat at Rachel's house and never returned to Clemson....thanks to COVID. He finished his senior year with online classes while spending a lot of quality time with their three beloved fur babies. Tyler and Rachel have been together through pet adoptions, both of them accepting full-time jobs, moving houses, promotions, and moving houses again (and again, and again). Fast forward to 2024, THEY FINALLY GOT ENGAGED! Tyler proposed to Rachel in a spot that holds deep meaning to the both of them, Outer Banks, NC. Rachel wanted to get updated photos for their house, so they went to the beach on a clear evening to do just that. While trying to figure out how to pose for photos, Tyler suddenly pointed out to the ocean to make Rachel look away. She truly thought he saw a dolphin or something super cool out there and turned to look. When he grabbed her hand to make her turn back around, he was kneeling on one knee with a beautiful ring in his hand. He asked her to marry him! Of course she said YES! Rachel and Tyler are excited to begin their next adventure in life and are looking forward to celebrating with their family and friends.