It was December 2019 when Rachel and Ian’s love story began. It began like any other modern love story…..by swiping right on Hinge. After chatting for a week or so and deeming that each other seemed tolerable, they decided to go out on their first date. (Rachel almost didn’t go, but her bridesmaid Becca forced her by reminding her that she would at least get a free drink out of it).

On January 3rd, 2020 Rachel and Ian met up at an Art Deco vibe lounge called “Bar Helix”. They ended up talking for about 5 hours, immediately cutting through surface level subjects and delving into topics important to them like family, friends, travel, and goals.

After going on weekly dates and getting to know each other better, Ian asked Rachel to be his girlfriend at the end of February 2020 right when the pandemic craziness began.

They not only survived, but thrived during the pandemic, creating some amazing memories in the process: snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and hiking adventures in the mountains, game nights with friends, a glamping trip to Moab, joining their church small group, getting to know each other’s families and home towns, and cooking awesome meals together to name a few!

In December 2020, Ian came to New Mexico to spend Christmas with Rachel and her family. It was during this time that he asked her parents for their blessing to marry their daughter! (While he was sweating away nervously on the couch in the living room asking for her hand, Rachel was peacefully asleep in her bedroom claiming the title of last person to wake up in the house every morning.)

On January 1st, 2021 Ian proposed to Rachel during their New Year’s trip to Tulum, Mexico. Ian had hired a private chef to come cook a 4-course meal at their Airbnb for them and two of their friends. After enjoying the delicious food, Ian set the dessert plate down in front of Rachel, and along with the chocolate cake was a little red box with the prettiest diamond ring Rachel had ever seen! He got down on one knee, said some very romantic things that Rachel did not remember at all (thankfully it was recorded!), and popped the question!

Since then, the couple has spent time wedding planning and anticipating their Big Day! In April 2020 Ian and Rachel bought their first new-build Townhome together, hopefully to be finished sometime this fall before the wedding. In the meantime, they cannot wait to tie the knot and start their happily ever after!

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