Rachel and James met in physics class during the spring semester of their freshman year at Notre Dame. Rachel spotted James sitting a few seats away and instantly thought he was cute. Over the course of a few class sessions, Rachel began moving down the row, sitting closer and closer to him. Prior to meeting James, Rachel had lived by the motto "No Physics Friday," but as her crush developed for James, she found herself attending class on Friday afternoons more often. James was utterly oblivious to Rachel's flirting attempts as he was too focused on taking diligent notes with his set of multi-colored pens. James finally got the hint when Rachel invited him over to her house for Easter, since he was staying on campus for the holiday that year. Rachel then started asking James to study together, so he could 'explain' the homework, but they both knew it was just an excuse to hang out. James finally asked Rachel on a date to go ice-skating, however, it took him a few more weeks to make a move...

James proposed in Central Park to Rachel's total surprise on December 8th, 2019. Rachel's dear friend Randi was in town for a visit, and James mentioned that he wanted to join them for ice-skating on Sunday morning - aka crash girl's weekend. After a morning of ice-skating in Central Park (reminiscent of Rachel and James' first date of ice skating at ND!), they walked to a beautiful opening on a lakeshore that looks back on the city skyline, which Randi deemed the "perfect location" for a couple's picture. At the moment Randi was taking the picture, James got down on one knee and pulled out the ring. Rachel was full of happiness and disbelief, but James still had another surprise in store. After the proposal, he took Rachel to one of their favorite bars where both families were waiting to celebrate with them.