We met how many other millennial couples meet these days: Online! We're yet another successful Hinge app love story. Sam messaged Rachael first by replying to her prompt "What is your favorite show?" to which her answer was "New Girl". Sam said "New Girl is the best!" Right then and there, Sam had Rachael's attention :) They messaged back and forth for a couple of weeks and then COVID happened. Rachael went to Michigan to stay with some friends, while Sam stayed in Iowa for school. They continued to talk and finally had their first date on April 4th via FaceTime. They continued to text, FaceTime, watch movies, and play games over the internet for 2 months (thank God for technology!) and then finally, Rachael went back to Iowa. Their first in-person date was finally happening! It included a walk and making homemade pizza. It was perfect. They were able to be together in Iowa for a couple of months, but then Rachael lost her Music Therapy job (thanks Covid). After applying for many, many, MANY jobs, Rachael was finally offered one...in Michigan. They both decided they wanted to continue dating long distance. And they did...for 14 months! As many friends and family saw via Instagram, they made the most of being apart by having cooking dates via FaceTime every Saturday night. Also, one weekend a month, they both would drive 4.5 hours to meet halfway to see each other. So many memories were made on those weekend trips, but it was always difficult to say good-bye when they ended. While driving away from one of those weekend trips, Rachael decided it was time to leave Michigan and move to Iowa (Sam would have moved to Michigan in a heart-beat to be with Rachael, but, you know, school). Rachael loved Sam too much to not be able to see him every day. Rachael moved to Iowa in January 2021 and, as they say, the rest is history!

Instead of exchanging gifts for Christmas, Rachael, her mom, and her sister, decided to take a trip together (Sam was of course invited). They decided to go to Gulf Shores, Alabama. If you haven't heard of it, look it up; it's gorgeous. Little did Rachael know, Sam had been planning since Thanksgiving to propose on that trip with the help of Rachael's sister. The day of the proposal: We spent the day at the beach finding sea shells, reading, relaxing, and enjoying one another's company. Then, we all got ready to take family photos; we like to take professional family photos every few years and what better place than the beach! Our photographer drove from Mobile to take the photos and she was so lovely. We start to take different variations of photos: mom and daughters, mom with just Rachael, mom with just Liz, Rachael and Liz, solo head shots, and then Sam and Rachael. The photographer says "Ok, Sam and Rachael, hold hands and walk away from me and I'll take some photos." As we are walking away from her, Sam says, "So, Babe, you know I love you very much..." *CUE THE WATER WORKS!* Sam then says some very sweet things, gets down on one knee, and asks "Will you marry me?" Rachael OF COURSE says "Yes!"!!! It was a magical moment; a moment that she got to share with her family, and she will be forever grateful for that. Then, the photographer says "Let's take engagement photos!" It was the best family vacation ever.