Daniel and I met through a mutual friend the day he was moving back to San Diego, May 8th, 2022. Jermaine Thomas (groomsman) called me on a Sunday afternoon when I had just finished playing beach volleyball with some friends. He asked if I wanted to go with him and a friend to Mavs, a local sports bar in San Diego. They picked me up and we hung out for a few hours (ironically, this was also the first time I had met Jermaine as well since we knew each other through mutual work connections, but had never met in-person before). We had a great time, but I didnt think much of it as I wasnt looking for a relationship at the time considering my first few months of craziness after moving to SD (fire, flood, gas leak, concussion, termites, etc.)


The next day, May 9th, was Daniels birthday so he texted me asking if I wanted to go play tennis with him, as he knew I played growing up and he had picked it up a year or two before. We went to the local courts and hit for a couple hours (and I am 99% sure I beat him, but he says otherwise). Dan asked me if I wanted to grab dinner afterwards, but I told him I needed to go home and feed Ghost. He offered to pick him up and find a place that he could come with us to dinner (major green flag), so I agreed. We picked up Ghost and a bottle of wine and went to PB Fish Shop for our first official date. Dan knew exactly what he was doing using Ghost and wine as the way to my heart. We hit it off, and although I was a little hesitant to jump into anything serious, I knew he was someone special and that I was having a lot of fun with him. My mom says I kept referring to him as my friend Dan, obviously trying to downplay the beginning of our relationship.

To many people's surprise, Dan and I decided to go on our first trip together to Cabo only a month after meeting/dating. However, this was probably the best thing we ever did for our relationship, as we had an absolute blast and solidified the fact that this was turning into something more serious. I knew this felt different than any previous relationship, and that I couldn't fight it for much longer. This was reinforced by the fact that multiple couples stopped us and asked how long we had been together because we seemed so comfortable and happy together.

Fast forward two years (almost to the day), Dan and I went to Hawaii for vacation. Little did I know, that trip would lead to the best day of my life. There was a tiny thought in the back of my head that MAYBE he would propose on the trip, but my mom mentioned he hadn't asked for my parents’ permission yet (she lied) and I honestly thought he would do it when we went back to Atlanta the next month for my 30th birthday. We were also mainly there for a work trip through my travel agency, so getting engaged was the last thing on my mind at the time.

In true Daniel fashion, we started the morning off at the Mauna Kea Golf Course. In true Rachel fashion, I got stung by a bee on my eye, leading to my entire eye swelling up. Unbeknownst to me, that would end up being the day I get engaged (my luck). All I gotta say is thank God for beer & Benadryl because had I looked like I did that morning, I never would have lived down the pictures from the proposal.

I was supposed to go to a work dinner at the hotel that night, but had taken a long nap that afternoon (thanks, Benadryl) and slept a little too late. Dan was also pretty set on going to a nice dinner that night since "Saturdays are the best night." I finally got up to get ready, again thinking nothing of what would soon come. We were FaceTiming his sister, Jen, before dinner who was out with their hometown family and friends. One of Dan's friends yelled out "DID SHE SAY YES?!?" Thankfully, I didn't hear him and Jen quickly hung up the phone (lol).

I should have known something was up when Dan said we should catch the sunset on the way to dinner. It's a running joke because I LOVE a good sunset, yet I am never actually ready in time to go down and enjoy it on vacation.

Walking to dinner, I was oblivious as we were mid conversation and he pulled me onto the beach and looked over his shoulder. I saw a lady behind us with a camera, but still had no idea what was going on until I turned around and saw Dan on one knee. I was completely shocked and overjoyed as he told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me and asked me to be his wife. I immediately said yes and jumped into his arms, still not realizing he had hired someone to take pictures of the proposal. I was so impressed because this is SO unlike him (he hates pictures), but was over the moon and in complete shock. We had a mini photoshoot (highly recommended), then proceeded to go to dinner back at the hotel, where we were greeted with champagne and cake from the staff. It was late back at home due to the time difference, but we eagerly texted and called family and friends to tell them the good news. Fortunately, we had already decided to extend the trip so we enjoyed the next few days in Hawaii in newly engaged bliss.

Met: May 8, 2022

First Date: May 9, 2022

Moved to Dallas: January 24, 2024

Dan Asked My Parents: April 24, 2024

Engaged: May 4, 2024

Wedding: April 26, 2025