When Rathyna first visited Eibach with her then boss, Mark gave them a tour and the two of them immediately hit it off. However, timing wasn't on their side, and they built a strong working relationship.

When Rathyna discovered that Mark had recently moved to Downtown Riverside, she gave him a gift card to her favorite local coffee shop. Little did she know that Mark didn't like coffee - but he played nice.

The two of them stayed in contact and their friendship grew. Through track day invitations, Christmas party run-ins, and off-roading adventures, the two discovered that their interest for one another was mutual and more than "just" friends.

Mark and Rathyna went on their very first date in February of 2018. It was a day that they both describe as perfect. The two had plans to visit the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Rathyna had texted Mark that morning and asked him to text her when he was in the driveway of her mother's house, where she was living at the time. Rathyna was attempting to keep her dating life private, but Mark had other plans. Mark made it a point to not only go against Rathyna's wishes at the time, but he also was bold enough to ring the doorbell, come inside Rathyna's family home, meet her mother, stepdad, brother, and sister-in-law, while ensuring that he would "have her back at a reasonable hour." Although Rathyna was quite mortified at this, she begrudgingly left with Mark. In hindsight, Rathyna was very appreciative that Mark valued chivalry.

After their first date, the two discovered they had the ability to talk about anything and everything. They remained close friends for over a year, until March of 2019 where they become "official".

The two have shared so much together in that time - a few injuries - a torn ligament( Mark) and a ruptured disc (Rathyna). Track days while Mark has taught Rathyna the art of time attack and Rathyna has attempted to teach Mark the art of drifting. They have become each other's best friends and have expanded their friend groups significantly. They share a love for adventuring coffee shops, photography, exploring art museums, adventuring in the mountains, charcuterie boards, and hoarding cars. On a more serious note, the two value time with family, have an immense love for their three nephews (August, Kai, and Pax), and have grown in their faith and have made Loma Linda University Church their "home" church.

Although the pandemic has proven to be challenging in many ways, the two were able to explore many DIY projects together and get to know one another more. Mark and Rathyna got engaged on November 21, 2020 and are excited to start their lives together!

R&M