Our Story

October of 2022 was an unexpected, life changing month for both Rachel and Michael.

A completely happenstance, and definitely serendipitous, crossing of paths on Maui transformed both of their lives. An even more peculiar twist in this story is that they have their parents to thank for the introduction. Michael was working a remote job and visiting his dad, Adam. It was a guy time trip - work, golf, exercise, beach time, watch some sports, eat some good food, and spend some quality time together. Rachel’s parents had recently relocated to Maui, and she went to visit her mom while her dad was away on a hunting trip. It was a girl time trip - beach, hikes, reading, lots of laughter, good food and some cocktails.  

All was going as planned until lunch at Da Bus Stop (iykyk) one afternoon. The girls headed to the beach for some lunch, margaritas and time in the ocean; the guys were at the beach watching the Dodgers perform miserably, and get eliminated in a playoff game. It turned out that Adam was friends with Paula and John. When the girls walked in and sat down, Adam came over to say hello and to meet Rachel. He mentioned his son, Michael, was also visiting. Michael eventually gathered his composure and wiped off the disappointment from his face after his beloved Dodgers lost, and joined his dad at the girls table. Things started getting interesting quickly. It was soon discovered that both Michael and Rachel were the same age, lived in the Los Angeles area, loved the outdoors and had a strong affinity for Michigan (Michael went to University of Michigan and Rachel’s family spends every summer in the Upper Peninsula of Northern Michigan, Go Blue). Over the next week Michael and Rachel spent time together at the beach, playing pickleball, enjoying all that Makena has to offer and commiserating about how awful dating in Los Angeles was.

When they returned to Los Angeles they began to hang out occasionally. Fast forward a few months to New Years 2022 and they both happened to be back on Maui for another visit. It was very obvious to everyone that Rachel had a BIG crush on Michael, especially to Sarah, Michael’s twin sister. She encouraged Michael to go for it and see where things went. And he did! From that time on they became nearly inseparable. Together the summer of 2023 brought them a trip to Europe; Michael’s first visit to her family's cottage in Northern Michigan; and talks of a future together.

Exactly a year to the day they had met they were back on Maui when Michael was suddenly offered a job in New Orleans. Rachel had never thought she’d leave Southern California, but when Michael asked her to come with him she immediately bought moving boxes. Three weeks later they were settling into their new home in Louisiana (or as Rachel lovingly calls it, The Swamp).

In 2024 when Michael decided to propose to Rachel, he knew he wanted to surprise her. Six months in advance he secretly created a plan with her parents. He wanted to propose to her in New Orleans, where they lived, and he wanted all of the parents, siblings and grandparents from both of their families to be there as a surprise for her. Flight arrangements were made, hotels and dinners were booked and Michael kept telling her he wanted it to be “just the two of them” when he asked her to marry him. On December 27, 2024, when he dropped to one knee and proposed in their backyard, Rachel was very surprised and obviously said YES. She was anxious to call her family to share the good news but they were all conveniently “busy and would call back when they could”. Two hours later when their front door opened and sixteen of their family members walked into their house with champagne, all Rachel could do was shriek and ugly cry. He nailed it - she never saw it coming!

They love and depend on their family and friends to share, guide and support them in their journey through life together. Come to Ojai, CA and celebrate as they say “I do” with all of the people who matter most to them.