Historic Acres of Hershey

Wedding Day

Our Wedding

Our story starts much like couples today do. We swiped right! We matched through a dating app back in the spring of 2019! **Bonus points if you know which app!** After some time messaging back and forth we finally met in person. Even at the start, things just clicked. The first several dates we ended up closing the restaurant or bar we met at. From then, there was no short date. Conversation and similar interests made time go by very quickly when we got together. We even took to referring to dates as "shifts" because we'd end up spending so much time together that is was comparable to the hours of a work day.Our love of nature and interest in camping, kayaking, hiking, and travel quickly had us taking trips to explore some new and old places. Since then, we've visited several states and have even traveled out of the country too!Like most couples in recent years, we had to figure out what our picture of life was during the global pandemic. When we first met, Rachel was working as a nurse at Holy Spirit Hospital and Nate was working for the Lancaster County Conservation District. Rachel's work at the time had her in direct patient care with people who were Covid positive. Like everyone, we had to navigate the haphazard day-to-day changes that were regulated. From that experience, we learned to be adaptable and appreciate the things we had.Seasons went by, new adventures were had, and obstacles were overcome. We both changed jobs: Nate to Rettew as an Environmental Scientist and Rachel to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center as a Labor and Delivery RN. We bought our first home in July of 2023. We welcomed our feisty little girl, Tauriel home this past year. Then, last spring, we were in Walt Disney World for the Fairytale Challenge Race Weekend. As our day of touring the World Showcase in EPCOT came to a close, Nate asked Rachel for a "picture." That picture ended up with Nate asking Rachel not just to "travel the world" with him, but to be side-by-side in all aspects of life! This is what brings you here today, in preparation for the happy celebration that will be our wedding! We cannot wait to celebrate with everyone as we officially become a family!

Our Story

Photos

Rachel has know Sarah since her birth, that's because she is Rachel's younger sister. Which means that Sarah has seen Rachel at basically every awkward phase, every life transition, and is the only other person who can relate to the many moves they had into adulthood. Sarah currently works in Knoxville Tennessee as a Legal Affairs Representative, where she also resides with her husband Brandon, their dog Epione, and cat Kylo. 
Conversation starter: Ask Sarah what her favorite memory with Rachel is!

Sarah Gilliam

Rachel and Brynn met in college as teammates for the Robert Morris University Cross Country and Track and Field teams. They became fast friends through their shared love for hockey, Star Wars, and enthusiasm for food. They later became roommates for 2 years and have been apart of a Snapchat group since graduation  with a bunch of other  "degenerates." Brynn currently works as a Field Service Engineer and lives in the Philidelphia area with her husband Zach and cat TJ. 
Conversation starter: Ask Brynn what our favorite Star Wars quote is!

Brynn Edelman

Rachel met Kylee on her first day of 7th grade at Bermudian Springs Middle School. Later they started to refer to each other as "their twin" because they realized they had SO much in common. Whether it be Disney, musicals, or fitness goals, Kylee and Rachel have always been practically in sync. Kylee works as a teacher in Newport News Virginia, where she lives with her boyfriend Matt and their dogs Aurora and Archer. 
Conversation starter: Ask Kylee about how she left Rachel on her first day!

Kylee Davis

Eli and Nate became good friends in their high school years. Nothing bonds a couple of guys like huntin' and fishin' and that sentiment goes far with these two. All year round the two of them can be counted on making plans to go for ducks, bucks, and bear (oh my!). Eli works as a plumber for his own business Once and Done Plumbing and also helps run a sheep farm with his wife Kenzie in Klingerstown, Pennsylvania. They just welcomed a baby girl in December of 2024. 
Conversation starter: Ask Eli about his favorite hunting trip with Nate!

Eli Strawser

Nate and Jake were teammates first and then became friends later. Bonded initially by soccer and their long shaggy haircuts, they found out they had common interest in the outdoors. Jake and Nate are probably one of the few people who could incorporate a plant Genus and species into any conversation. Today they annually go on camping trips, kayak for most of the warmer months, and Rachel and Nate happened to buy the house right across the street from Jake- so we're all neighbors! Jake works at HRG as a Agricultural Consultant. He resides in Middletown with his two cats Rooster and Cece.
Conversation starter: Ask Jake who the Plant Daddy is!

Jake Hawkins

Nate and Alex became friends through Jake after high school. Alex and Nate both have a shared interest in the outdoors. The two of them enjoy kayaking, camping, hunting, and hiking. Nate and Alex also have a shared interest in DIY. Nate has enlisted Alex's opinion and advice for several home projects as Alex has finished his own basement and is currently working on remodeling his kitchen. Alex works as a Bridge Engineer for Pennoni and resides in Shiremanstown Pennsylvania. 
Conversation starter: Ask Alex about his workshop and his favorite wood project to date!

Alex Butterbaugh

Zach and Nate got close after college and met through Jake. Zach and Nate share a very spontaneous outlook on life and can always be relied on for good conversation. Zach was the person Nate could text any given day and ask if he wanted to go do something. Zach also has a very can-do look on life and he and his wife spend a lot of their free time renovating their log cabin dream home. Currently Zach works with Bizerba as a Second level Support Technician. He resides in Richmond Virginia with his wife Kimmy and their 4 cats: Kheddar, Khalessi, Kleo, and Grey. 
Conversation starter: Ask Zach about his hobby of blacksmithing!

Zach White

Nate and Kimmy went to the same daycare as young children but really became close after Nate became friends with Zach White. Zach and Kimmy later married after they all were mutual friends. Then when Rachel came into the picture Kimmy and Rachel very quickly bonded. The fact that Kimmy is so close to both Rachel and Nate is why she was picked to lead the day. Kimmy has a shared love for our group camping/kayaking trips, she also loves Disney, and making her own clothing. Kimmy currently works as a MPS Coordinator for International Paper and resides with her husband Zach and their aforementioned fur babies in Virginia.
Conversation starter: Ask Kimmy what it was like to have Nate spring last minute planning on her for the proposal!

Kimmy White

Wedding Party

Q + A

Booked rooms from the 23rd-25th. Last day to book is September 27th! Changes to reservation can happen up til 72 hours before arrival date. Use this link:
https://group.hiltongardeninn.com/f8ezff
Use code: CRASTR

Rachel & Nathaniel

Rachel & Nathaniel

Travel

Hilton Garden Inn Hershey