It was Memorial Day weekend, the Warriors were in the playoffs, and local San Franciscans flocked to the bars to watch the game - the city was a buzzin! Nik, along with best friend Dan, settled up at The Athletic Club in Pac Heights while Annie, being the wine sophisticate that she is, joined her friend Allison at a local wine bar in the Marina. After the game, Annie went home to prepare for work the next day, but Nik kept the party going (what a cool, handsome, fun guy!). After signing some autographs and fending off his admirers, Nik made his way to the Marina and stopped in the local dive bar, Bus Stop. He soon began chatting it up with a tall, beautiful woman named Allison. Yes, the very same Allison who had been sipping Rose with Annie earlier in the day! Nik eagerly asked Allison if she had any friends that she might introduce him to- she suggested that he would be a great fit for her friend Annie. She insisted they meet at some point, to which Nik responded, “Just share her number, I’ll text her now, she’ll love it”. Annie, at home, tucked into bed with her cat Bentley, woke up abruptly to her phone. “It’s almost midnight! Who could be texting me at this outrageous hour?” Annie asked Bentley, but Bentley was speechless! Annie looked at her phone - the mysterious person on the other end (handsome Nik) was confessing his love for her - “Sorry to bother you, but I think you’re gorgeous and I'd like to take you out for beverages sometime”. Annie was confused, scared, but slightly intrigued. Then, another text popped up, this time from Allison. “Hey! I passed along your number to Nik - hope you don’t mind, he’s funny!”. Trusting Allison’s judgement, Annie responded to Nik and after hours of texting and laughs, she decided to give him a chance. A first date of watching Saturday Night Live together soon turned into dinners, meeting each other’s friends (and passing the test), traveling to Thailand, visits home to meet family...and the rest is history.

After receiving the blessing from Annie's parents, Nik searched for and eventually found the perfect ring that he knew Annie had been envisioning (on her Pinterest board). All he needed to do now was plan an immaculate proposal. After brainstorming several elaborate options, he finally decided to do what he thought Annie would appreciate most – a private proposal when she least expects it. A few months later, Nik’s mom, Debra, invited the couple along with Nik's siblings to gorgeous Santa Cruz – Nik knew this was the opportunity he'd been waiting for. After staying in the beach house for a couple of days, Nik finally gained the courage to pop the question (3 beers beforehand didn’t hurt). Just before sunset, Nik mentioned to Annie that he'd like to get out of the house and get some fresh air. As they made their way down the hill, overlooking the ocean, Nik popped the question. To his surprise, she said YES! Annie immediately called her parents, brother and close friends, while Nik talked to his dad, Rajive, who had been eagerly awaiting the good news. They then walked back to the house, where they spotted Debra peeking out the window in anticipation of their return. “Anjalie, pop the champagne! Joey, we need more cheese!” they heard from inside. Debra, Anjalie and Joey greeted the newly engaged couple at the door with bubbles and cheese aplenty! They all cheered, embraced and ate and drank the night away. What a perfect beginning to their journey together!