Rich and Ariel first met at a concert in the summer of 2011 through a group of mutual friends, though they didn't get to really know each other until they were back at Rutgers that fall. They started running into each other quite frequently at various parties but didn't start officially dating until December when Ariel demanded their first date be at a McDonald's near Rich's home town. Fast forward to 2015, Ariel moved to Australia to pursue her dreams to become a veterinarian and travel the world while doing so. Rich decided to quit his job 9 months later and join her to begin an abroad journey together. After living together for one year, Rich decided one late night while washing dishes in their small one bedroom apartment in Melbourne, that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Ariel as his forever best friend and travel partner. In July of 2017, Rich surprised Ariel by bringing her best friend Courtney back to Australia with him after a brief visit to the US (to ask Ariel's parents permission), Overwhelmed by the surprise of Courtney coming to visit, Ariel overlooked the fact that Rich had planned a romantic dinner cruise dinner for no apparent reason. After the dinner, Ariel and Rich walked over a bridge to their favorite bar to meet up with friends and Rich got down on one knee. Of course, she said yes! Now, after over 8 years of dating, they are ready to exchange their vows and continue to build a unique and exciting life together!