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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge)   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, May 15, 2008 Love Story By Christina Harper Special to the Herald It was at a friend's poker game in Sept. 2005 that Taylor Ostrander caught Rachel Palmer's eye. The two had known each other for a couple of years. They both worked at the call center at Washington Mutual in Bothell but never really talked other than to say "Hi." The poker game was the beginning of a great friendship. Six months later, the friendship turned to romance. "I always knew. I actually had to stuff it for quite a while," Rachel said. "I knew it was right. He was quite stubborn and wouldn't listen." It came as a complete shock when Taylor proposed to Rachel. The two had decided to take a week off work and do something different every day. The first day of the vacation, Taylor tricked Rachel into going to Snoqualmie Falls. As they stood and looked out over the falls, Taylor mentioned that he didn't think Rachel would cry on the first day of their vacation. "I said, 'I'm not crying. It's pretty. It's the water,'" she said, confused. When she turned around, Taylor was on one knee and was holding out a ring. Her sister was ready with a camera. Rachel began to cry. "I had no idea," Rachel said. "How somebody sneaks someone up to Snoqualmie Falls without her knowing … I'll never know." Rachel Palmer and Taylor Ostrander, both of Lake Stevens, plan a Sept. 20 wedding at Magnolia Hall in Arlington. Their parents are Cindy Palmer of Lynnwood and Michael and Lynn McCarty of Everett. Rachel has an 8-year-old daughter, Riley. Rachel is a customer support manager for Precor in Woodinville. Taylor works in client services at Symetra in Bellevue. Rachel describes Taylor as an absolute teddy bear, a big guy who loves to give hugs and is caring and kind to others. "He is an unbelievable father," Rachel said. Taylor has Rachel and Riley hooked on hockey. The threesome can often be seen at Silvertips games in Everett. Taylor coaches high school hockey, too. The couple still plays poker and joins in on a monthly game at a friend's house. Rachel's love for Taylor is peaceful and calm. After a stressful day, she can have a big hug and take a deep breath. The song "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts will be played at the wedding. "We heard it the first time we went on something considered a date," Rachel said. Since the path to Taylor has not been an easy one for Rachel, the song has special meaning. "The road to him was hard," she said. "And it was worth everything." For more information on Love Story, call Christina Harper at 425-339-3491 or e-mail harper@heraldnet.com.

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