Bailey and Raquel met in high school when Bailey was 16 and Raquel was 15. Their love story began with what can only be described as a strong first impression—Bailey was supposed to pick Raquel up early for cross-country practice and decided sleeping in was the better option. Raquel, fully ready and waiting, was less than impressed. After hearing through the grapevine that she was mad (rightfully so), Bailey reached out to apologize… and from that moment on, they never stopped texting.

Their first official date was a hike in Yosemite, and not long after, Bailey asked Raquel to be his girlfriend—although he was already under the impression that they were dating. It took a friend pointing out that he never actually asked for him to realize that assumption doesn’t count. Once it was official, they spent the rest of high school together, with Bailey bravely saying “I love you” first —even though Raquel had been rehearsing it in her head already.

After graduation, Bailey moved to Colorado for college while Raquel stayed in California. Through countless texts, phone calls, and FaceTimes, they proved that long distance—and questionable time zones—were no match for them. When Raquel was accepted into nursing school, the two finally closed the distance and moved in together in Sacramento.

On December 21, 2024, Bailey made a spur-of-the-moment plan and asked Raquel to go to dinner at one of their favorite restaurants. After dinner, they wandered through downtown to look at Christmas lights and watch the ice skaters. After relocating to a quiet spot by the river, that’s when he proposed—and Raquel said yes.

From forgotten pickups to forever, Bailey and Raquel can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter surrounded by the people they love most.