We made it!

Zane and Rachel met in the Gates County High School Marching Band. He played trumpet and she played flute and piccolo. After Zane had a crush on Rachel his freshman year, he decided that sophomore year would be when he made his move. After all, she would be a senior that year and that would be his last chance. They started dating on October 29, 2014. Luckliy for their relationship, both Zane and Rachel attended college close to home. Rachel went to Tidewater Community College before transferring to Regent University while Zane went to Old Dominion University.

Buckle up because this story is a ride! It was March 16, 2019. Zane and Rachel had been dating about four and a half years and he had her show him what rings she liked in December. She knew the proposal was coming that year but didn't know when. They were doing an escape room for Rachel's birthday with some friends. With two coming all the way from Charlottesville Va, Rachel got a bit suspicious that today would be the day (especially since the best man was one of them). They picked up their friends at the restaurant and drove to the escape room. Naturally, Rachel grabbed Zane's jacket to make room for Davey and Katrina in the back. She may have noticed the pocket looked a little full and gave it a small feel before Zane snatched it away. Let's just say a Zale's box is very distinguishable. When they got to the escape room to meet everyone else Zane wore his jacket in even though it was warm for March. After "going to the bathroom", Zane decided it was warm and put his jacket back in his trunk. Rachel thought to herself "why is Zane putting the ring back in the car when he hasn't done anything yet?" They got into the actual escape room and Rachel forgot completely about the ring. The room was an old west theme where they had to break into the safe to find the gold. Of course, everyone insisted the birthday girl open the safe. Inside was infact gold, it was a white gold engagement ring. Their parents were supposed to be waiting outside for them, but they had finished to room in record time. Then everyone ate at IHOP since Zane wanted pancakes and Rachel had no idea it would be a special lunch when they planned it!

Picking to get married on June 26 was not on accident. It was almost fate that it happened to be a Saturday the year Zane graduated from college. On June 26, 1929, Rachel’s great-grandparents Gladys and Harry Geese were married. Rachel Ione is named after Gladys Ione who died shortly before she was born. On June 26, 1954, Maxine and Tom Geese got married on his parents’ 25th anniversary. Tom was Rachel’s grandpa she had a special relationship with. He passed away her sophmore year of high school. Rachel and Zane will be the third generation to get married on this date and hopefully will inherit the many wonderful years of marriage that was brought to those married on this date before them.