It all began on August 9, 2016 at a bar called Fox and the Hound in Colorado Springs that sold $2 beers on Tuesdays. Rachel was going to college in Colorado Springs and John happened to grow up in that city with the beautiful purple mountains of Pikes Peak in his backyard. One of Rachel's best friends and roommate at the time Shelby invited Rachel out to Fox and the Hound to meet up with her and some friends. When Rachel arrived she noticed a cute boy in a Cubs jersey sitting at the table with Shelby and her friends, and after a couple dollars spent Rachel had the courage to flirt with this cute boy who ended up being John. They spent the night laughing, dancing, and getting to know each other and after that first night John enthusiastically pursued Rachel. On John's first date he took Rachel to the mountain town of Breckenridge to ride down alpine slides and taught her how to skip rocks. He took her on adventures all throughout Colorado. They moved to Arizona in 2021 and continue to go on adventures in new locations together. 7 1/2 years later and John still continues to pursue Rachel everyday.

The picture above is Rachel and John at Fox and the Hound in the first month of dating.