Bumble (online dating app) while living out in Phoenix: Derek liked this app because the woman had to make the first move. Their first date was, of course, at a wine bar. Derek felt it wasn't a good sign when Rachel didn't want to order a second glass of wine, but at that time, Rachel had too many rules for first dates and only having one drink was one of them :) A second date soon followed - A comedy club. We were seated front and center. The first comedian came on the stage and started polling couples how long they'd been together. When they got to us, I said "second date", but Derek started crossing his hands saying "we're not dating". Well, that was a field day for the comedians and all night long they kept commenting about if the two of us knew we were on a date or not. We ended up getting free tickets and the rest is history :)

It had been 5 years so everyone was expecting it... But, Derek managed to surprise Rachel with a last minute trip to Cape Cod. It was early spring and the weather was misty and gray. Derek was ready to get the ring out of his pocket. Early Saturday morning, Rachel, Derek, and Sir Chamberlain went on a walk along the beach followed by a hike through the marshes. With the bad weather, there were not many people around, but Derek wanted to make sure the moment was captured. We stumbled upon a gazebo overlooking the ocean and Derek knew this was the right time. Rachel began reading the multiple plaques about the local area while Derek snuck away to ask a stranger to take pictures. Derek then walked back to Rachel and Chamberlain, and tried to repeatedly alert Rachel that Chamberlain had a question. She wasn't having it, and finally exclaimed, "What does the dog want!??" (in a loud & annoyed voice). Derek got down on one knee and said, "Chamberlain has been asking for us to have the same last name" and pulled out the ring box. Rachel couldn't believe it, the euphoria finally hit, she won the jackpot.