We're getting married!

On this warm July day, Nicholas and Andria reunited in person after 2 long years. The last time they had seen each other was at high school graduation! Andria picked up Nicholas in her car, (since Nicholas was visiting, he did not have his car!), and they drove off to pick out a tie for Andria's sister, Alexandra's wedding. They walked around the mall and then decided on which place to go to dinner. They landed on Billy Joe's Rib-works, as this restaurant is on the river and it was a gorgeous day to sit outside. This dinner was very windy on the water, but nothing could make Nicholas or Andria stop from looking into each others' eyes and talking for what felt like days. They picked up as if they were never separated, as they talked everyday over text and on the phone. They then decided to go to Long Dock Park in Beacon to watch the sunset. As they got there, Andria showed Nicholas her favorite spot in the whole park, specifically a hill that she loved to read on. They walked up to this exact spot, 41°30'17.5"N 73°59'18.2"W. As they stood and watched the sunset, it began to drizzle, and then rain. In this movie-like moment, Nicholas and Andria kissed for the first time. Little did Andria know, 3 years, 4 months, and 28 days later, she would be getting proposed to in the same exact spot!

For the first 2 years, 1 month, and 6 days of Nicholas and Andria's relationship, they were doing long distance. During this time, they intermittently visited each-other, Nicholas traveling to New York, and Andria to Oklahoma City. Being one flight away always instilled a sense of peace in the two of them. Being 1,496 miles apart strengthened Nicholas and Andria's relationship. Some days were harder than others, especially when Nicholas was on deployments and couldn't talk on the phone. But, on the days in between, Nicholas and Andria talked on the phone for endless hours, had online movie dates, sent each other surprise packages, and made the most of the distance between them. As Andria began her job search before graduation, she decided to apply to a job in Oklahoma City at the Children's Hospital. When she interviewed for the job, she immediately knew she had to take a leap of faith and move to Oklahoma City to get an incredible foundation in her nursing career, while being closer to Nicholas. Leaving New York was a difficult decision, but with the endless support and encouragement from her family, she moved half-way across the country to be closer to the love of her life. If not for this decision, Nicholas and Andria wouldn't have rescued their two cats, have made the friends they have made, or the memories they have created in their home and this new city together.

As Nicholas and Andria have been living in OKC together since September of 2021, they have rescued 2 cats, Ricky Lou and Bobbi Mae. These two girls have become the most perfect addition and start to the Allen family! While living in OKC, Andria worked night shift for around a year, while Nicholas worked on base during the day. Living opposite lives for a while, the two of them made it work, spending every moment they could together. On long deployments, Andria felt and continues to feel the same as she did when they were long distance. They spend endless amounts of time on the phone, updating each other on their lives and the cats of course. These months apart just make their relationship stronger, as they say "distance makes the heart grow fonder."

On Christmas morning, Nicholas and Andria got all dressed up to take photos for next year's Christmas card. Or so Andria thought... As they arrived to Long Dock Park, they walked up to the exact spot they had their first kiss on their first date back in 2021. Nicholas then told Andria he had one more gift for her this Christmas. He got down on one knee and asked Andria to marry him. Andria said "Yes"! After this romantic moment, the secret photographer Nicholas had hired did a full engagement photoshoot, capturing the most memorable day for the two lovebirds thus far.