Rachel was Eric's teaching assistant for ECE438 (Digital Signal Processing). At the end of the semester, she realized that Eric was "actually kinda cute" even though she was guessing because they both were wearing masks since COVID was still rampant.

To follow school guidelines, she waited until after grades were due before asking him out...over email.

Hear her out: they were never in the same class together, so no course groupchats existed that they shared, nor were they in any school clubs, nor did she have his number because they were done with the semester and it would be "creepy to ask one of [her] students for their number because [she] thought he was cute and probably smart, nor would it be appropriate for possible legal reasons."

So the email was sent after much deliberation and reassurance that "no, it was not weird to ask someone out over email if you have absolutely no other method of communication, especially if you're sure they graduated." That reassurance came from none other than the maid of honor, Nikki.

Eric had seen the email but waited to respond until the day was over since he was building a birdhouse with a friend.

Thankfully he still checked his former student email, and thankfully he also said yes!

This was during COVID, so prior to dating, they actually had never seen each other's full faces. They also lived 3 hours apart, so video calls were a must. After many calls back and forth, Rachel drove to visit Eric for the first time in person late December 2020--right before New Year's.

It was a 3-hour drive, and even though nerves started to set in, she made it! They officially became a real couple January 2, 2021.

After 2 years together, they got engaged January 6, 2023 at Hotel Indigo in Traverse City, Michigan when they went up north to celebrate Eric's mom's birthday (she was in on it).

Rachel actually almost spoiled the engagement for herself, but thankfully Eric could think on his feet!

Eric's parents had spent the day at the hotel decorating the nice hotel room and ensuring eyes would be drawn forward toward the lake view. Little did they know that Rachel would drop her keycard for the hotel room upon entering it and see the cute setup for the engagement. Eric and Rachel were in the process of putting down their bags, but Eric was used to Rachel's clumsiness and adapted quickly to propose before Rachel fully read the sign alluding to the proposal.