Rachel thinks it started at the annual swim team barbeque in the Boston College mods, when a tall sophomore with blue-green eyes caught her attention.

Matt thinks it started at the first swim party of the season (less barbeque, more basement and beer), when he gave his number to the cute new freshman – twice.

Either way, something was in the air in fall 2013.

Fast forward a few years (we wouldn’t be caught dead being a swim couple – if you know, you know), and Matt found his excuse to ask Rachel on their first date to “celebrate her birthday”.

After a few years navigating post-grad and exploring Boston together, Matt headed to San Francisco. Rachel moved a year later, and they’ve since made the city their home.

Matt found the ultimate excuse to “celebrate her birthday” with a proposal in wine country in 2022.