Yoko and Rafael met through common friends in Yokohama, Japan. On that day the whole squadron was supposed to permanently move from Tokyo to Iwakuni, southern Japan. They had a dinner together with friends which led to bars, Karaoke, and Sushi Go Round. After that night, Rafael decided to stay an extra day to spend time with Yoko rather than move to Iwakuni. He knew how special she was. Since that day, they kept the long distance relationship between Tokyo and Iwakuni, as well through multiple deployments.

Rafael first had to ask Yoko's father for his blessing. He secretly practiced for weeks to learn how to ask it in Japanese. Mr. and Mrs. Kamoda said Yes. Rafael surprised Yoko in Tokyo and took her to the Westin hotel, Tokyo. He made her get dressed up and wore his finest suit and took her out to an amazing dinner in Naka Meguro. He was acting weird the whole time she recollects. Rafael had coordinated with the hotel to use their private garden and had them set up romantic candles and lights... and that's where he went down on one knee and asked the question! And now here we are...