Rachael & Keegan

The reason why “I LOVE LOVE” ~ by Rachael Robinson

Keegan and I met at the gym around the beginning of 2019, but we didn’t start to talk to each other frequently for several months.

We were planning to do one of my HIIT workouts together on a Monday in late November, but on the Saturday before, I remembered that I couldn’t make it. I didn’t want him to think I purposely missed our workout, so I started asking all the people at the gym if they knew who Keegan was. Finally, Keegan’s friend Mark gave me his number!!! (yeah, he didn’t ask for mine before😊).

So, thanks to that, we started talking more and more, and finally on December 1^st, we went on our first date!! It was the most fun and sweetest date I had had in many years. Everything felt so easy and comfortable. We met at his place where all his friends were, and then we went clubbing for a techno event at the TV Lounge in Detroit. On the dance floor is where we kissed for the first time! We then went home and sat on the couch until 5am talking about everything. It was beautiful!

That was the start of our amazing relationship!!

During Christmas I always go to Italy to visit my family, so we didn’t see each other for two very long weeks. I really missed him so much. When I landed back in Detroit he came and picked me up with a big bouquet of flowers and Ferrero Rocher chocolates!!! But wait, not only that, but once we got into the car, he had a hot tea prepared for me and a pile of presents he hand wrapped himself. Each one was so thoughtful, my mind and heart were blown away. I think deep in my heart that moment was when I realized that I loved this guy.

A month later, we had a UFC fight night at his house with all our friends and that is when we first said, “I LOVE YOU,” to each other. We were inseparable from that moment on. We did however give each other space twice a week as not to rush into the relationship.

Suddenly the coronavirus happened, and we both had to work from home. I still remember when he told me on my way home during my last day in the office, “bring your stuff here, it’s only going to be for a couple of weeks!”. Well we all know that wasn’t true, so that was the moment when I started living at his house. Little by little I moved in, and I got rid of my apartment around September 2020.

The quarantine together was a blessing! I can’t imagine having to be alone in those difficult times and Keegan and I were just a perfect match. Everything felt easy and the transition was so smooth.

We have done a lot of things together in these past two years; traveling, camping, going to concerts, clubbing, date nights, and way too many house parties!!! We have so much fun with our friends but more importantly, we have had fun together.

On September 4^th after our beautiful trip to Dominican Republic, where I thought he would propose to me, we went to his parent’s housewarming party with family and friends. I was completely clueless on what was about to happen to me that day!

After a few hours there, Feef (Keegan’s mom) brings out this beautiful collage of images of us, that she had put together in the shape of a heart. I got very emotional looking at it but then I heard my name being called in my father’s voice. I said to myself, “this cannot be true.” I turned around and saw my family from Italy, standing on the deck with me. I literally fell on the floor crying in front of everybody! The shock was immense! This was the best surprise I’ve ever had in my life, especially since I haven’t seen my parents or my brother for almost a year. At the time, Keegan hadn’t had the chance to meet my family yet because of Italy’s covid restrictions.

A few hours go by and I’ve finally relaxed from the shocking moment of my family’s arrival in America. Keegan suddenly grabs my hands and says, “there is a reason both of our families are here.” I almost collapsed again! He nervously got down on one knee, then forgot what he’d prepared for weeks to say. He also forgot how to say “Will you marry me” in Italian, as he practiced so many times before the big day. I cried my “yes!” out loud. The easiest YES of my whole life. Not only was the proposal PERFECT, but he also booked a trip that week to Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island with our parents. Surprise after surprise, my heart was so full of love and joy that week, I didn’t even think that kind of happiness was possible in a lifetime.

This is just a glimpse of our relationship which is full of LOVE, RESPECT, KINDNESS, & CARE.

I love this man so much and can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

We are happy to celebrate our special moment with our family and friends in the Dominican Republic. It’s going to be unforgettable and one hell of a party!

With Love,

Rachael (and Keegan)