Back at Bishop Fenwick High, the two found themselves seated next to each other in their Intro to French class: an immersive classroom experience where students were discouraged from using any English for the full 45 minutes. During class, Dylan attempted to twirl a pencil in his hand to impress the pretty girl sitting next to him. The pencil (mostly due to a lack of coordination) flew from Dylan's hand, through the air and hit Rachel right in the face. In a moment of panic, Dylan tried to find the words in French to apologize, but alas, since it was just a 101 course - he knew none. After awkward glances, and timid smiles -- Dylan remedied the situation in the only way he knew how: Facebook. On Facebook messenger, he quickly sent a message the that oozed with heartfelt sincerity: "sry for hitting u with my pencil today... i still feel rly bad about that" (...It was 2012, okay?) Well, dear reader - that message caused a friendship to form. The two chatted endlessly, on good days and bad. They walked to class together, attended Fenwick's semi-formal dance together and even learned how to drive together. Dylan and Rachel stayed friends all throughout high school, until suddenly things started to change. It was a snow day, senior year and Dylan finally worked up the courage to ask Rachel to be his girlfriend right on Fletcher Street. (It would’ve been on Rachel’s door step, but her dad was shoveling outside). Rachel was thrilled and Dylan was handsome. Although college was right around the corner, the two had a feeling that it was all going to work out. (And guess what, kids, that foresight was pretty strong). They soon would be spending the summers exploring, kayaking, and adopting their little fuzz ball, Otto, who made them a family. Dyl and Rach spent 7 years together before Dylan would propose and promise forever on Cathedral Ledge. 
 
Although they didn’t leave high school with a robust French vocabulary, the two can safely say they got something a whole lot better. Over the past 9 years, Dyl and Rach grew up together. And as their relationship evolves, they’ll never forget the friendship that started it all.