Rachel and Nick met in psychology class at Windsor High School in August 2009 when Rachel was a sophomore and Nick was a senior. They caught each others' eyes all semester, however, they did not talk until finals week in December. Rachel messaged Nick on Facebook instant messenger (back when that was a thing), and Nick offered his phone number immediately because he was "so busy and had to get off the computer" ;) sure sure. Rachel and Nick started getting to know each other by spending half days together during finals week. Nick invited her to lunch with his friends at Steak and Shake and Subway, then they would go to Rachel's house to hang out, watch a movie, and spend time with her family. They continued to see each other over Christmas break. Nick received tickets to a SLU Billikens basketball game for Christmas, and he invited Rachel to go with him. Rachel and Nick had another half day on January 13, 2010. Nick invited Rachel and his friends over for lunch to watch The Best of Chris Farley on Saturday Night Live. Rachel had work at 4, so Nick gave her a ride home. During the ride home, Nick asked "so can we make this official?" Rachel agreed, even though she was not sure what exactly that meant. After work, she received a request on Facebook to change her relationship status - and that's when things were clarified. They were official!

Nick and Rachel had recently adopted their first child/puppy, Tucker in May 2017. They began talking about how much they wanted professional pictures with him. Nick thought it would be a cute idea to do Christmas cards. Rachel was very impressed he was willing to do this, but little did she know (kinda) that he had a plan up his sleeve. Nick and his sister, Magin, went ring shopping together in October. Nick reached out to a photographer they went to high school with (Carleigh Cline photography - check her out!). He booked a 20-minute photoshoot with her on November 11, 2017 at Lafayette Park, a beautiful park near downtown STL. Nick told Carleigh about his plan to propose during the photoshoot. During the week leading up to the photoshoot, Rachel was freaking out. She thought "HOW PERFECT would it be if Nick finally proposed." Her friends kept wondering the same thing. However, she did not want to get her hopes up. She knew it would be soon, and it would be perfect no matter when and where. She picked out their outfits, she got her nails done, and they headed to Layfayette Park with Tucker. Before and during the photoshoot, a possible proposal did not cross Rachel's mind once. She was distracted, she was having fun, and she was taking care of Tucker. Carleigh suggested taking a few pictures of just Nick and Rachel on the bench by the pond. Rachel was instructed to look out to the pond with Nick behind her (for a photo idea). Little did Rachel know, this was all a set-up. It gave Nick time to get out the ring and collect himself where she could not see. Carleigh acted like she was taking pictures anyway. Finally, Nick touched Rachel's waist to turn her around. As she turned around, he said "I am so glad you got your nails done." He got down on one knee, showed Rachel the ring, and said "So can we make this official?" (Exactly what he said when he asked Rachel to be his girlfriend). Obviously Rachel said yes, and now they have photos to cherish forever!