Pierce and Rachels love story is a testament to how life can unite two hearts in wonderfully unexpected ways.

They both attended Mililani High School on the beautiful island of Oahu, but it wasnt until years later that their worlds collided. Pierce, three years younger, was a freshman when Rachel was a senior and friends with Rachels younger sister. Rachel (secretly) had always found Pierce cute, but their interactions were limited.

Pierce was in the band and Rachel was in the choir at Mililani, which led them to attend many of the same off-campus school events. Rachel still remembers admiring Pierce in his high-water band pants.

Years passed, and they went their separate ways. Rachel pursued her passion for art at a college in San Francisco, while Pierce continued his education at Mizzou after graduation. It wasnt until September of 2016, just after Pierces 28th birthday, and just before Rachels 31st birthday, that their paths unexpectedly merged again.

Rachel had returned to Oahu a few years prior and was bartending at Proof Public House in Chinatown. One evening on her shift, Pierce entered the bar with her sister, Natalie, and their high school friends. After their group left, Pierce realized he had forgotten his debit card and returned to retrieve it. Rachel had just gotten off work and was sitting at the bar. Pierce sat next to her and broke the ice with a simple "Hi".

Recognizing him as Natalie's friend, Rachel engaged in conversation, and their connection was instant. They laughed, talked, and went dancing together and their love story began.

Their first year together was long distance as Pierce was living in Westport, WA, working as a fisheries observer for NOAA, and Rachel was still living in Hawaii. Pierce was transferred to Astoria, OR in 2018 and a couple of months later, Rachel left Hawaii again and moved up to Astoria to be with Pierce.

After five years together, in April of 2022, Rachel and Pierce went on a long-awaited trip to Spain to visit Pierce's friend from college (and now groomsman) Eric. They'd talked about it for quite some time and agreed that they would save up for Spain and after the trip, start saving for a ring. It was an amazing trip full of memories they will cherish for the rest of their lives together. One in particular...

During a few days-long road trip down the Spanish coast, they visited many little Spanish villages and drove the narrow cobblestone streets. While driving, they saw on the map a small town called Miravet with a castle in the center that was founded by the Moors and rebuilt by the Knights Templar and transformed into a fortress-monastery during the Spainish Reconquista . Obviously, they had to detour to see it. They followed the signs which led them down a steep dirt road to a river. At the river there was a Spanish man with a raft ferrying cars across the river. Their rental car was larger and heavier than many of the cars they'd seen in Spain throughout the trip, so they decided not to raft across the river.

Pierce asked Rachel if she'd be willing to take a slightly longer detour and drive around the river to Miravet. She enthusiastically agreed and they were back on their way.

When they got there, the castle itself had already closed, so they explored the exterior of the historic structure and enjoyed breathtaking views of the small village below.

The entire trip, there was an ongoing joke between the two. A back and forth where Pierce would mention some future plan when they were married, and Rachel would interrupt and say, Hang on, youre not approved yet! Your application has been submitted and is under review! As Rachel was admiring the view, Pierce said from behind her So you know how my application is under review? Rachel turned around ready to playfully reply with a sassy response to see Pierce on one knee offering a gorgeous gold ring with a sparkling deep blue sapphire, Pierce's birthstone, in the center. The ring his father had given to his mother when he was born. Will you marry me? Pierce asked, hands trembling while Rachels eyes welled with tears. Yes! Approved! she exclaimed happily and fell into Pierces arms.

And now, here they stand, celebrating their love and preparing to embark on a new chapter together. Pierce and Rachel, two souls whose paths finally intertwined, invite you to witness their union and share in the joy of their journey.

With love and gratitude,

Pierce and Rachel