On January 23, 2014, Kyle and Rachel went out to experience the Annual Taste of Raleigh event downtown . After a lovely dinner at Jimmy V’s, Kyle suggested that they go ice skating at the annual Winterfest ice rink on Fayetteville Street knowing Rachel's passion for the ice since she was a figure skater in her youth. She happily agreed even though it was a windy frigid 19 degrees that evening so the couple rented and laced up their skates to enjoy the ice for as long as they could bear. Rachel found her old form quickly and Kyle ice walked along the boards for the next 30 minutes while attempting to build the courage to skate to the middle of the rink. Kyle realized that he couldn't make it by himself and asked Rachel to take his hand to help him make it to center ice. Rachel was ready to go because of the cold but she reluctantly said yes and she took his hand to help him. Upon arrival at the center, Kyle screamed I can't stop and "accidentally" fell landing on one knee where he proceeded to propose to Rachel in her adored language of French, which she is fluent. Unbeknownst to Rachel, Kyle had been practicing/learning French for the past several months in preparation for this moment. Rachel said 'yes', unreluctantly this time, and that's how you ended up reading this.
Special thanks to Speight & Nassim of Speight & Nassim Photography for the unbelievable engagement pics. The engagement shoot was held at the JC Raulston Arboretum on a lovely fall day in October 2014.