Story time with Rachel here... As most of you know, I am a big believer in finding the beauty in chaos. In the midst of 2020, Pete and I found in each other one of the more beautiful parts of this world; true love and a lifelong partnership.


We first met working together at Sotto in 2017. Pete jumpstarted my wine journey through training. He was so easy to talk to that when he taught me about the fourth seed in the Nebbiolo grape, a friendship bloomed. Even though Pete was one of the more informed people in the room, I could always rely on him to not take things too seriously. I deeply appreciate that in a work setting. I couldnt know how much Id enjoy that in my personal life years later!


We reconnected in November 2020, when we were both on the team opening Boca back up to the public. We went out for drinks to celebrate Bidens win in the election and decided on dinner at Abigail Street (my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati.) Little did I know I was being taken out on a date that would kick off one of the most meaningful relationships Ive ever had. By the middle of December and after a month of spending time together, we decided to officially start dating.


We spent the next year honing in our fine dining skills by night and learning all about each other by day. We made each other exceptional meals, got outside with our dogs, Piper and (the late and great dane) Lacey and enhanced each others lives as creatives! Pete had moved out of Covington into an incredible apartment on Milton Street in the spring of 2021. It was when my lease was up in Camp Washington that we made the decision to live together that fall. In the two years that followed, we travelled, fell in love with each others families and curated a life together that we become more proud of everyday.


It was an overcast Tuesday morning where the blue sky looked tucked in the duvet of clouds covering it. Not to go too Mrs. Rhode Island about it, but it really was not too hot, not too cold; all we needed was a light jacket. We took Piper down to Smale Park to take a walk and toss some frisbee. I had thrown quite the heater, which is rare for me, so immense shit talking promptly began as I watched Pipe start sprinting after it. I realized Pete wasnt responding to my bragging so I turned around. Thats where I saw him on a knee presenting the most beautiful ring Ive ever seen to propose one of the most important decisions of our lives.


We were engaged on 3-28-23, which my mother immediately pointed out was a palindrome. For us, that rare date now represents how whatever way you look at it, theres always love first. We look forward to a lifetime of bringing balance and harmony to each other while we navigate this wild, wonderful world together...