By Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@chronline.com

Lewis County Drug Court experienced a first this week when Bryce Hargett proposed to fellow 2024 graduate Rachel Robidoux during the program’s regular Monday session. 

The two graduates had come to Lewis County Superior Court to receive ceremonial coins for staying sober. Robidoux received her three-year coin, while Hargett received his two-year coin.

Unbeknownst to Robidoux, Hargett had planned something extra. 

Spoiler alert: Robidoux said yes. 

Before the proposal, Judge J. Andrew Toynbee called Robidoux to the podium to present a signed card and congratulate her on her achievement. 

“I just want to tell you how proud I am, still, of you, how honored that I am that you still are keeping Drug Court involved in your recovery, and we’re still a big-enough part of your recovery that you’re here to be recognized,” Toynbee said. “You’ve got a great community here.”

The judge then called Hargett to the podium to congratulate him on his achievement, before giving Hargett the opportunity to speak.

“Before Drug Court, I was ready to die,” Hargett said, his body turned to Robidoux. “I said prayers to God. I said, ‘I give up. If you have something for me, now’s the time.’”

Soon after, Hargett, who was facing criminal charges, got the call that he’d been accepted into the program. 

Drug Court allows for the dismissal of charges upon graduation. The program can last years.

On Monday, Hargett said he later realized it was also part of God’s plan to meet Robidoux. 

“Being with you has been the best thing for me, for my recovery,” Hargett said to Robidoux. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”

Between sniffles and expectant laughter from the audience, Hargett pulled an engagement ring from his pocket and got down on one knee.

The two embraced as Toynbee and the crowd broke out in applause.

“I am so grateful for every single person in this room,” Robidoux said, before telling Hargett he was the most important person in her life.

“I couldn’t do it without you,” Robidoux said. 

The Chronicle spoke with the newly engaged couple after the proposal.

“This is where we met,” Hargett said. “We didn’t know each other at all prior to Drug Court. We got together early. I mean, in Phase One for me, right out of treatment. So we built everything from the ground up.”

Robidoux agreed.

“Nothing that we had would be possible if it wasn’t for Drug Court,” Robidoux said. “And we wouldn’t have met each other if it wasn’t for Drug Court.”

Robidoux said she was surprised by the proposal, but became curious after noticing the number of supporters that had gathered in the audience — at least 20, according to the couple. 

“Once I got up there and turned around and all of my coworkers, everybody that’s in my corner is in there, I was like, this is weird … something else is going on,” Robidoux said. 

Some learned of the proposal just hours before, like Robidoux’s friend and sister figure, Milleah Espino, who luckily had the day off from work.

Hargett’s mother and grandmother came in from Idaho. 

“I’m just so proud of him and his happiness,” Hargett’s mother, Lori Stout, said. 

“Rachel is amazing,” Stout added. 

Robidoux works as a substance use disorder professional for Gather Church while studying for a bachelor’s degree in behavioral health at Centralia College. 

Hargett said Robidoux always takes time to customize her treatment plans.

“She puts so much effort into caring about her clients and just going above and beyond,” Hargett told The Chronicle before the proposal. “She could go get a job somewhere where they just have everything all planned for, you go in, clock in, give the plans, just do the bare minimum, but she doesn’t.”

Hargett is a Foundational Community Supports (FCS) case manager at Destination Hope and Recovery, where he assists people with housing and employment. 

To be eligible for FCS, clients must have experienced a qualifying mental health situation, or received a substance use disorder diagnosis, according to Hargett.

Hargett, who was born in the Centralia area, sees the work as an opportunity to give back.

“I get to celebrate their wins,” Hargett said.

Beyond the “full-circle” proposal, Hargett said he believes it’s important for Drug Court alumni to come back and get their coins to show current participants that the program works.

It’s also a good reminder of how far you’ve come, Hargett said. 

The case manager remembers when he first saw Robidoux during Drug Court. At the time, Hargett was experiencing what he described as a precipitated withdrawal.

His journey to recovery had just begun. 

Now, the couple — who each have children of their own — share two toddlers.

“She has my back 100% and I have hers,” Hargett said.