Before the world shut down with COVID-19, “love was in the air”, or should we say “water” in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Zachary, a marine scientist working at the Wellfleet Audubon Center met Rachel, an environmental educator who was interning at the center in early February, 2020. From giving Rachel a tour of the nature center aquariums, he meticulously designed and maintained, to sharing morning coffee and talking about their favorite music, they soon realized that they had much in common. Zach was drawn to Rachel’s sense of humor and zest for outdoor adventure. Rachel recognized a kindred spirit for hiking the dunes of Cape Cod, eating fresh Wellfleet oysters and a love for coffee and croissants at the Hole in One Bakery and Coffee Shop in Eastham. Their first “official date” was on Valentine’s Day at Laurino’s Italian Restaurant in Brewster and then bowling at the Alley Bowling and BBQ in Orleans. Zach gave Rachel a red gerbera daisy plant which he would continue to do every Valentine’s Day since. The red gerbera has a meaning of being “fully immersed and surrounded by love” and are given as a romantic gesture. Who knew that Zach was so romantic! As an intern at the Audubon, Rachel lived in the dorms. Zach was working in Rhode Island for Something Fishy as an aquarist and lived in East Greenwich. He traveled to the Cape every weekend to work and see Rachel as their relationship continued to grow from dating to eventually moving in together in the fall of 2020 in Rhode Island once Rachel’s internship ended. Weekends in Rhode Island and on the Cape were full of outdoor adventures including kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, camping, and hiking. Zach continues to work at Something Fishy which has provided an opportunity to meet new friends and coworkers. Rachel worked at Save the Bay when she first moved to Rhode Island and at a local nursery which funds her and Zach’s love of plants. In February, 2022 Zach and Rachel took the next step and purchased their home in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. There is not a shelf, surface or window sill that does not have a plant on it. They have added perennials, trees, shrubs and a variety of plants to their yard throughout the growing season. Don’t be surprised that housework is last on their list, as you will find them in the yard gardening, raking, cutting down trees or bamboo making their place their own. They love being together outside with their hands in dirt, soil, plant material and mulch.

Zach and Rachel’s Engagement Story

In the summer of 2022, Zach popped the question by putting lobsters in his dad’s lobster trap in the Nauset Estuary labeled with “Will you marry me?” using silver nail polish. Creating this engagement activity was a family-planned event with Rachel being unaware that a proposal was to occur while she was helping Zach to check the traps on his dad’s boat for his tanks at the Audubon. When looking into the traps, Rachel exclaimed “Zach, they have markings on them!” thinking as an environmental educator that she happened upon a research site. When she was able to read the message on the back of each lobster, she turned around to see Zach on one knee with the ring. If you're wondering what happened to the lobsters, they were served in lobster rolls with champagne on the deck of Zach’s parents’ home in Orleans with both families present. A fall wedding in 2024 was planned!

Fast forward to now, Zach and Rachel work on weekends on home renovations to make their house a home they love. Rachel enrolled in a Fine Gardener program at the University of Rhode Island and is excited to combine her environmental science background and green thumb to find a position that will satisfy her love of nature and conservation. Another fun fact if you did not know, Zach and Rachel share a love of food or should we say “eating” either out at their favorite restaurants with their friends or cooking at home. Zach enjoys experimenting with a variety of spices, sauces, and recipes in the kitchen or on the grill. If you want a steak cooked to perfection, ask Zach! Zach and Rachel are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Mount Hope Farm in Bristol, Rhode Island on September 21st, 2024. Their venue choice will not be a surprise to celebrate their marriage as it combines their love of the ocean with natural gardens with the sun setting over the bay in the state they have come to call home.