Their paths first crossed 9 years ago. Rachelle’s cousin, Arielle and her boyfriend at the time had just moved to Central Oregon and were back in Portland visiting. Rich knew Arielle from the gym and had gone wine tasting with them. Arielle decided she wanted to introduce him to Rachelle, and invited Rich to family dinner that evening and naturally, sat them next to each other. They went to Mason, a delicious little Italian cuisine in Sherwood, OR, the night continued for a little dancing at Bushwackers, a western bar in Tualatin. Upon leaving Arielle said “Rachelle, you are taking Rich home, he just moved into Eddyline, the same building you live in so it only makes sense” (good thing they hit it off)! They had discovered Rich’s apartment was literally two floors above hers, so she did not share her exact apartment number until they knew this was going somewhere…. didn’t want to awkwardly cross paths every day if it didn’t work out lol.

They dated for a little while, then drifted apart and came back into each other’s life sometime around 2020. Something just felt different, they broke through some layers and got really close in the next couple years. They both hit a point where they were ready for change but didn’t know exactly what that looked like. Rich sold his gym, Rachelle was at a pivotal point in her career and ready for something new/wanted to move closer to family. After some debate on what the best next step was, Rachelle applied for a job with Deschutes County, and moved to Bend, OR in 2022. Through conversations with Rich, he had encouraged her this was a good move and for Rachelle to “go for it”. Unsure what this looked like for the two, Rachelle ultimately ended up moving and maybe a month later Rich told her he had listed his house to sell and was moving to Central Oregon too! This is where their journey really began and they are so thankful the ups and downs brought them closer together.

Rich proposed to Rachelle surrounded by Rachelle's family, it was a surprise to everyone in the room aside from her Dad, Gary, who was able to snap a few pictures. It was a perfectly executed for the pair, he used a special pour from their bourbon hunting exploration earlier that day to help stage the question, after asking Rachelle (3 times) to try the new bourbon find, she finally picked up the glass and he had the ring box opened behind it with a stunning ring that he picked out himself, and when she turned back to him (in shock) he was down on one knee and popped the question “will you marry me?” 100% without a doubt, YES!!!

Rich and Rachelle purchased a home together (with Moose and Stella) in February 2026 and are working on getting settled, planning a wedding has added a few distractions to the process and speediness of getting things done but nevertheless, very excited!

The best chapter is yet to come, but they are loving every day and not taking time for granted!! Rich and Rachelle are so excited to get married and start this next chapter as husband and wife!

Hope you can be there to help celebrate this very special day!