In January of 2018, Rachel would begin working at Warrior Canine Connection, a non-profit that specializes in raising service dogs for disabled veterans. There she would meet Tony, who had been working for the organization for a year prior and would be her mentor. Their relationship would begin to develop here, the two working together taking care of young service dogs being trained to help those who served.

Over time this friendship would continue to grow, both discovering many shared interests and hobbies to include videogames, movies, hiking in the outdoors, campfires and s’mores, and of course, puppies. Spending many evening shifts together over the next few years, watching the puppies they’ve cared for graduate to full-grown service dogs, the two would begin to spend time together outside of work.

As their friendship continued other feelings would soon arise. And one day, Tony would express his desire for a more deepened relationship with Rachel. Although with some hesitation at first, she would later agree, beginning a new intimate connection between the two. This connection the two now found between each other would develop into love. An even through much time away from each other after Tony’s enlistment in the military, this love would persist. In January of 2024, Tony would propose to Rachel before an upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan.

Her answer: “Yes.”