Entertainment reporter Carlos Bustamante graces our television screens as part of the ET Canada team, but his life in showbiz started on the dance floor. Bustamante grew up dancing in a competitive group along with his wife Rachel. Though they were just kids when they first met, their love story blossomed into one for the books. Now with a decade of marriage under their belts, the pair has two children together. This is the story of how it all came to be for this ET Canada star.
How they met
Rachel and I have known each other since we were kids, as far back as eight and 10 years old. We grew up dancing at the same dance studio, as teammates in the same competitive group. One season we were paired together as duet partners and just grew closer as we spent more time with each other. She was always such an amazing dancer. I could barely keep up with her. She made us both look good, which continues to this day.
The first date
We still celebrate the anniversary of our very first date back in 1998. Two nervous teenagers excited to be together, strolling through a bookstore, grabbing a coffee and seeing a movie.
The proposal
We had been living together for a while by the time I worked up the courage to propose. We loved travelling together, and I had planned to propose on a backpacking trip through Spain, but once I had the ring for a few weeks, I just couldn’t wait anymore. One morning a few days out from the trip I just decided to propose to her right there in our apartment, in our pajamas, with our chocolate Lab as our witness. I think Rachel was half awake for the “Will you marry me?” Clearly, I still owe her a seaside proposal in Spain.
The wedding
We were married at LaSalle Park in Burlington on Aug. 15, 2010, in front of our closest friends and family. It felt amazing to share the day with people that had known us our entire journey together. Rachel was absolutely stunning, and I cried like a baby when she walked down the aisle. Our reception is still my favourite party of all time. Our honeymoon was in Maui and we’re eager to get back there sometime soon.
The kids
We have two kids who make us laugh every day. Elijah is nine and Naomi is seven.
Balancing careers and marriage
Lots of experience. I can’t say we’ve perfected that balance, but we’ve both learned over the years that we have to create opportunities for us to just be together and that time we have with one another shouldn’t be taken for granted. Above all, we have one another’s back.
Secret of success
We laugh together a lot. That’s a big part of it. We value honesty, we respect one another as individuals, and we don’t miss an opportunity to tell the other person how much we love them.
Life after retirement
Rachel will tell you that we’re going to retire in Hawaii where we’ll spend our days by the ocean. Honestly though, I don’t know if I’ll ever retire.