Sometimes we introduce ourselves as “High School Sweethearts,” but our journey started long before Jordan asked Rachel out in the fall of senior year. Although we attended different elementary and middle schools, our paths were intertwined early on. Our families belonged to the same Reform synagogue and we went to the same Hebrew School classes on Tuesdays and Sundays. We were even part of the same nerdy accelerated math program as 8th graders that bused us to the high school each morning for geometry. So, by the time high school rolled around, we were already familiar with each other — we just had different friend groups. And then in the summer after junior year, we ended up hanging out in the same small group of friends. We socialized as typical high schoolers do: went to the movies, had July 4th pool parties, enjoyed s’mores around bonfires, etc. Sparks started to fly when Rachel’s Mom hired us for the same catering job and “coincidently” placed both of us at the ice cream serving station. A few months later, Jordan strutted into the stands at the Homecoming football game, put his arm around Rachel and all the magic began.

Ah, the fateful years of cross-country living. Rachel was headed to college in Virginia and Jordan, many miles away, in Massachusetts. We knew that we wanted to try to make it work, even though the odds were stacked against us. Countless FaceTimes, phone calls, budget flights, and supportive friends were the salve for the long-distance blues. And every time we reunited, we were reminded of our uniquely strong bond and the fact that we didn’t want to do this thing we call “life” without the other. We were sure we’d move to New York City after graduation, but our job searches threw us another curveball. In a “you’ve got to be kidding me, that’s an even long-er long distance” turn of events, Rachel ended up in Seattle and Jordan in D.C. Though this time in our relationship wasn't easy, we are exceedingly grateful for it. Living essentially separate lives allowed us to develop as individuals. We formed distinct friend groups and hobbies and learned ways to find support outside of one another. We always welcomed the other into our respective lives — making memories with now shared friends, inviting the other into our new passions, and watching the other blossom into a beautiful new version of themselves. We like to say we've dated many different people over the years, constantly growing as individuals and then back together.

Finally, the job stars aligned, and we made it to the same place: Seattle, Washington. We found a cute apartment and started settling in — only for a global pandemic to strike the day after our housewarming party. We went from barely seeing one another in person to being quarantined together. Imagine that! The adjustment was insane, for lack of a better word, but we continued growing together. We built a garden on our balcony and cooked the veggies we grew. We bought a car and explored the incredible nature of the Pacific Northwest. We found solace in our wonderful group of friends. We got a little too into Settlers of Catan. We planned cute dates for each other. And we survived.

Given the flexibility of our jobs and the impending Seattle winter (which is still lovely, just devoid of sunlight), we decided to take a leap. We broke our lease in Seattle, stuck everything in storage, and moved to Hawaii with two friends. What was supposed to be a few months turned into six. We learned to surf, got scuba certified, got tanner than we thought was possible, and subsisted on a diet of rice, poke, and fresh fruit. Most importantly, moving to Hawaii taught us an important lesson in continuously prioritizing our well-being over following “proven" paths. In May 2021, we returned to Seattle and sold everything we had stored away before Hawaii. We packed our Subaru with camping gear and set out on an epic road-trip across the country. We visited national parks, cities, and friends — all the while challenging ourselves to continue growing. When we arrived in New Jersey, we booked one-way flights to Mexico.

We immediately fell in love with Mexico City. The tacos, the culture, the people, the mental stimulation of learning a new language — did we mention the tacos — and we were in awe of our surroundings. We were also in awe of how easily we adjusted to our new world together. We felt incredibly lucky to have found in the other a true partner for every life experience. There was a special peace in knowing that we could support each other — no matter how far we deviated from the “norm.” What happened next is the reason you’re reading this. With an engagement ring in the zipped pocket of his running shorts, Jordan took Rachel for a jog in Hipódromo — a racetrack turned beautiful greenway in the middle of the city. He pushed her to keep going when she wanted to give up, knowing she could make it to the fountain a few blocks away. And with headphones still in Rachel’s ears, Jordan got down on one knee. Rachel thought he was tying is his shoelaces — but then she said yes.