"Nothing serious" Alyssa said on their first date. Nick obliged and kept it cool hoping he could change her mind. It was early October of 2019 and the leaves were just starting to turn bright yellow and red. On their first date Alyssa also had to assure Nick she was "not that kind of Baptist pastor!" while Nick had to assure her he was "not that kind of lawyer". Clearly made for each other. The first few dates were sight seeing places in DC. Rock Creek Park. Dupont Circle. The cemetery had Alyssa sharing her location with her brother, but it was romantic. By the fourth date Alyssa was hooked. Nick just had to seal the deal. Solution: steaks. Nick may have set off every fire alarm in the building, but it was a damn good steak. By the time Alyssa's parents were back in town a few weeks later they were a couple. Having no clue what the next year would hold, they rang in the new year hand in hand bright eyed and hopeful for what the year would hold for them. 2020 was a life changing year for so many of us; and it was no different for Alyssa and Nick. Navigating a pandemic, loss, big life changes, and new jobs only brought them closer together as friends and as partners. "When you know you know" so many friends and mentors said. And wow were they right. Fast forward to November 2021. When Nick told Alyssa he'd got reservations at a fancy restaurant from his boss, she was suspicious, but he wanted to go out to the dive bar afterwards, so it was probably nothing. When champagne was brought out the moment they sat down, Alyssa thought it was a quirk of Georgetown restaurants. It was only when Nick pulled out a ring that she knew it was happening. Nick told her he loved her more than life itself, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, to grow old with her, to marry her. Alyssa said yes. And here we are! Here you are reading our story. We can't wait to celebrate with friends and family but more importantly we can't wait to begin this new chapter together.