Hello friends! It seems crazy to be at this moment, writing the story of my relationship with my soon-to-be-hubby :)

Our story began many years ago when a young girl, only in eighth grade, spent a week at a family conference and got to know a really nice girl named Vineeta. This sweet girl just happened to also have a goofy, kind brother named Nick. Of course young Rachel could not help but go googly eyes over the guy who actually took the time to say hi to her (only when he was saying hi to his sister of course, but what's the difference to a girl). Needless to say, a big secret crush began that week. Fast forward a year, and 13-year-old Rachel attended her friend Vineeta's birthday sleepover party, complete with High School Musical dance-alongs and Walmart scavenger hunts. This party happened to take place at Vineeta's house, so who else was there but Nick. He was upstairs in his room rocking out to Linkin Park. Rachel thought he was pretty cool and cuter than ever. Fast forward four more years of nothing significant happening except that Rachel still had this secret crush that no, literally no one, knew except her mum. Little did Rachel know, her mum was praying that she would get an opportunity to get to know this Nick guy. Fast forward four more years, and by this time, Rachel had moved all the way to Grand Rapids, MI and no longer saw or heard about Nick anymore. She made sure to keep an eye on his facebook, stalking it only occasionally, to see if there were any updates. As time went by, she stopped thinking of him. But he remained in the back of her mind. Once, she told a friend about her past crush. This friend still knew Nick, and offered to set Rachel and Nick up. Of course, Rachel said no. But little did Rachel know, this friend began to pray that Rachel and Nick would get to know each other. Fast forward one more year, and Rachel is scrolling facebook and sees an adorable picture of Nick holding a baby. Cute right? So cute! Not thinking much about it, Rachel liked the photo. To her shock and excitement, a message popped up later that day from who else but Nick. Keeping her cool (ok, lets be honest, ask her roommates, but Rachel was anything but keeping her cool), Rachel responded. From that moment, the rest is history. A month later, they began dating and six months later engaged. In the spirit of his spontaneity, Nick proposed two days after buying the ring, on the beautiful shore of Reeds Lake in Grand Rapids. Rachel of course said yes!!!

We are so thankful to God for bringing us together and for those who prayed we would have an opportunity to get to know each other. We are looking forward to no longer being long distance and building a life together in Indianapolis.