It was December of 2020, restaurants and other “non-essential” businesses were closed once again due to the resurgence of COVID. Rachel’s twin brother Adam was messaging her about how the dating app Hinge had a special where they would give you a restaurant gift card if you downloaded their app. Rachel figured why not and downloaded the app. She was met with an array of mostly unfamiliar faces during a time when meeting new people was very limited due to COVID regulations.

Several days later she checked Hinge and discovered she had a message and request to match from a guy named Nick. The message read something along the lines of “I think you’re really cute and by the way I know everything about dentistry.” Rachel knew that she had to match with this guy if only so she could respond to his taunts. Rachel and Nick exchanged messages on Hinge, hitting it off very quickly. They eventually decided to meet up in person but two things stood in their way; Nick came down with COVID and was in isolation, and there were no good meeting locations as the restaurants were still shut down.

Rachel decided that after almost a month of texting, Nick seemed trustworthy enough to invite over to her condo. Nick brought sushi and Rachel supplied the two-hearted ale (Nick’s favorite!). The connection that had formed online was only made greater by the face to face meeting. Nick was quickly invited to Rachel’s small themed get-togethers including Disney Night, Wig Night and the Hawaiian Luau. Many fond memories were formed at 928 Catherine Street.

Nick and Rachel finally had their first official date later that winter at the outdoor glasshouses at Black Pearl in Ann Arbor. Since their initial meet up there have been lots of great adventures together-usually involving good food!

It is only fitting that on the way to their dinner reservations at Gandy Dancer on December 22, 2023, Nick stopped on Catherine Street and asked Rachel a very important question: “Will you marry me?” Rachel said yes (after saying oh my gosh! The box has a light in it!) and the rest is history. They look forward to everyone joining to share in good food and celebrations on Saturday June 21, 2025 for their wedding.