AJ and I met in September of 2014 at Drake University. AJ was on the men’s basketball team and I was on the women’s volleyball team. We saw each other in passing at the gym, but I didn’t really know who he was. I must have caught his eye…. Because during the first week of classes in September, AJ decided to message me on Facebook and spark a conversation. After a few days of texting back and forth, we discovered how much we had in common and went on a few dates.... the rest is history! AJ proposed on the same weekend we met 4 years later.

Rachel: I am most in love with AJ’s genuine personality and outlook on life. AJ is dedicated 110% to anything he sets his mind to and never takes an opportunity for granted. He lives in the moment, yet is always committed to the future. I am amazed each day by his passion for life & can’t imagine life without him. AJ: Besides all of our similar qualities that make us so compatible, I love Rachel’s pursuit of always trying to be the best she can be and making others around her the best they can be (usually me). I love how dedicated Rachel is to her education, faith, and family. I am in awe of Rachel’s ability to put other people’s needs in front of her own, and have learned throughout these last five years that she is a great role-model and teacher of these skills.