Happily Ever After

In a 3HS basement homeroom, with a mix of teenage insecurity, a red, graphic tee, and an oversized backpack, Brendan wandered in and sat down with a couple of friends promptly at 8:07 AM. Little did he know that this is where he would meet his crush and future wife, and he should be more conscious of his outfit choices. Brendan wasn’t always as charming and put together as he is today. Not only was he less stylish but he also embodied the phrase “winging it”; he lived across the street from the high school but managed to rack up the tardiness count. Rachel was always the definition of style and grace that she is today, prepared, punctual, and organized. She was beautiful, witty, and intelligent. Brendan noticed this and began to seek out her attention. There was only one small problem – Rachel saw him as more of a friend. Brendan found his locker just next to Rachel’s and pretended to need to stop by, just to make small talk. By that, I mean awkward glances and attempts to form words that might make sense to his high school crush. This was met with a request that belongs in a HSM scene. Rachel asked Brendan to become her knight in shining armor, “Hey – um, can you help me unlock my locker?” The ask made Brendan’s heart skip a beat but he tried to play it cool – right, left and a full turn, right and CLICK. “Thank you!” Rachel exclaimed with hearts in her eyes and open arms…in Brendan’s dreams. He made it a point to help Rachel at the end of each day from that point forward. As the kids did back then, Rachel and Brendan found themselves loitering on a frigid night. Brendan noticed that Rachel was cold and, shockingly, he had a sweatshirt appropriate for the weather. Later, Brendan would slide in the Facebook messages and check in on Rachel. Rachel then insisted that there was no way for her to send a comparison photo of a One Direction member she swore Brendan looked like, without his phone number. (Note: Facebook supported sending photos even back then). Texting late into the night, Brendan’s attempts to flirt would lead them into what they referred to as the “talking” stage. Once, he enjoyed walking Rachel home through Barrington, despite living just across the street from the school. He built up the courage for their first kiss, but the moment was interrupted by the arrival of Bern and Evan pulling into the driveway, leaving him to scurry away awkwardly. However, patience paid off. Brendan took Rachel out to see a masterpiece featuring Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell, just before Senior Prom. Weeks later, Brendan arrived to find his stunning prom date dressed in a white gown, and did his best to imitate a gentleman, not believing that he was taking his longtime crush to prom. Brendan opened the car door for Rachel and the couple drove off into the sunset. The two finally began dating on July 15, 2015, just before college. Brendan was considering schools out of state, making Rachel emotional, and realizing how much she had come to like the company of that awkward, Henley wearing goofball. Brendan mulled over his college major and eventually decided, leading him to attend Rowan University. There, the couple continued to grow up alongside each other, with Jimmy John’s dates and many nights spent back home binge watching on Rachel’s parents’ couch with her cat, Lola. Today, the couple can’t imagine life without each other; they look forward to forever rooting for the Phillies and vacationing in Disney. Their organized and go-with-the-flow personalities continue to complement each other perfectly. Brendan’s love for everything that Rachel has, that he doesn’t, continues to grow every day. Rachel’s admiration of Brendan’s help and caring nature continues on. All the chapters of their story – from high school to the dependable couple that they are today – culminates in their special day. The couple cannot wait for you to meet them in the city and make it all that more special!