Rachel and Drew grew up far away from each other, but God had plans to connect their hearts together! Drew is from Bemidji, MN and Rachel is from Rochester, MN. Little did they know they would be introduced by some good friends and be married 5 years later. In 2014, Drew’s college roommate Hunter was dating Rachel’s childhood friend Nikki at the University of North Dakota. Nikki and Hunter thought Drew could be a perfect match for Rachel, considering Drew also shared a pursuit of healthy eating, being extra goofy, chasing adventure, and making cheesecakes for people. After Nikki told Rachel about Drew, Rachel thought it would be a miracle if she ever got to meet Drew. Two months later, Hunter and Nikki organized a weekend getaway of water-skiing and wake-boarding in Alexandria, MN, a halfway point for them. At the lake, Nikki thought it would be a great idea for Rachel to drive Drew around on the jet ski. They were having a great time, until Rachel accidentally gave the gas an extra kick which catapulted them both off the jet ski and into the lake. They bonded well, to say the least, but this was just the beginning of a friendship that lasted 3 years, until it became something more.

Two years later, in the spring of 2017 while Rachel was at University of La Crosse, WI, she felt led to send Drew a message about the cheesecake she made for Bible study randomly. Rachel credits the Lord for prompting her to reach out again, as he wasn't even in her mind until that day. After a long conversation, they rekindled their friendship. Drew wasn't going to let this second shot with Rachel slip from his hands, so he kept calling and video chatting with her. On July 28th, 2017 Rachel and Drew met up at South Turtle Lake for a sweet reunion for water sports with friends and ice cream; this time, they weren't going to let each other go. God had amazing plans for them together.

August 28, 2017 // After 1 month and 3 dates, Drew and Rachel decided to pursue the journey of their 22 month long distance relationship.The Lord always opened up doors for them to see one another and it seemed to them that God was confirming their relationship so much along the way.

Drew and Rachel had planned to go up the North Shore at the end of July, exactly 1 year after they entered each other's lives again. Drew thought this trip would be perfect to surprise Rachel, as she helped plan the trip and wouldn't have a clue this was coming. Drew asked Rachel if his sister Lexi and her family could join us, which made Rachel even less suspicious. Just a sweet family vacation, no big deal.

Rachel's perspective: Hiking up to High Falls in Tettagouche, MN in the summer was so nice. Nothing like in the winter, but definitely just as gorgeous. I gave Lexi my camera to take a picture of Drew and I in front of the water fall! I was so excited to finally get a wide-angel shot with the beautiful scenery behind us, instead of all the selfies we'd been taking. We waded ankle deep into the water below High Falls, Tettagouche. I walked away from Drew to go back to shore after the picture, but Drew called me to come further in the water with him for another picture. I went along with it. Next thing I knew, Drew was pulling a beautiful maroon box out of his pocket, and on the top was etched "Drew and Rachel" out of the wood. Instantly I knew. My mind was racing. Amazed. So. SO. Surpised. Time literally stopped in the hot sunshine. Looking at me was my future husband! It was the easiest squeak of a yes I've every said! We spent the rest of the day hiking around the beautiful North Shore, and I was blown away at how blessed I was. It was the best day of my life.