We met in San Diego in late 2020, not long after the world started spinning again. Rachel was in medical school at UCSD; Finn was living in North Park, working in finance at Petco’s headquarters. We matched on Hinge, and Finn planned a first date at Kate Sessions Memorial Park — a charcuterie board, JuneShine hard kombucha, and a sunset over the Pacific. We talked about everything and never really stopped.

Years later, on a trip to Valle de Guadalupe for some sunshine and good wine, Finn set up his camera on a tripod under an old oak tree at Bruma — suggested they take a few photos since they were dressed up — and got on one knee at golden hour. It was April 29, 2025, early enough in the trip to spend the rest of it as an engaged couple.

On a trip through Portugal for a family wedding, we stopped at Aethos Ericeira on a whim. It reminded us of San Diego — a quiet surf town on Atlantic cliffs, close to Lisbon but off the beaten path. We loved that we could have the entire hotel to ourselves and our favorite people. We booked it on the spot.