In the heart of Covid and unable to meet in person, Rachel and Bill matched on Hinge (a dating app). For weeks they would text and message one another and began building a relationship over the phone. After a couple of months and the pandemic still in full swing they decided there was only one option for them to meet, outdoors at the Manassas Battlefield for a walk. Each time they wanted to see each other, they would have to creatively come up with ideas and activities since the “normal” date spots were still on lock down. Since they both missed working out, Bill would create an orange theory like workout plan to execute in the driveway at his house. Rachel would have mental challenging tasks like putting together her roommate’s grill.

As soon as restaurants began to open, they finally had their first official date. While some love stories at this point would move into the “they spent every moment together phase” that was not the case for Bill and Rachel. Rachel at the time worked 12-hour shifts while going to school full time. Bill coached travel baseball which required 2 nights of practice a week, games on the weekends, and high school baseball 6 days a week. Somehow, they made it work with an hour visit here, a weeknight they had off there, always making the most of the time they had to spend together. That early part of the relationship where both were admiring the other's work ethic helped build a foundation of mutual respect as well as a sense of partnership. That mutual respect and partnership eventually turned into a love that they both knew there was no turning back from. As they met each other’s families, met each other’s friends, and most importantly their dogs met, the relationship only grew stronger. They both got the other to try things they never would have otherwise; Rachel got Bill to travel and eat sushi and Bill got Rachel to eat deer meat and watch Game of Thrones. Over time all those nights of just spending a few hours together waiting for a free day turned into the relationship they have now. One built on love, mutual respect, and communication.