We're Getting Married!

It was a hot August day when Brandon returned from spending the summer with his family up North. Then, along came Niki, the new girl in town. A week into school, Brandon was dared to ask Niki to be his girlfriend. Niki, knowing it had to be a dare, said no immediately! After all, she barely knew him. Little did they know this was only the beginning of their love story. Fast forward five years later to their senior year of high school. At this point, Brandon and Niki were friends and thought they always would be just that.. friends. However, everything changed during homecoming week. It was tradition for the senior class to have a party at the end of homecoming. On October 8th, at the bonfire surrounded by all of their classmates, Brandon reached out for her hands, got down on one knee, and asked her to be his.. PROM DATE. Niki, in utter shock, said yes! From that day on, the two were inseparable. They would often get yelled at by their teachers for sneaking hugs in the hallways and rearranging the desks so that theirs were next to each other. On December 6th, 2013, Brandon made it “Facebook official” and asked Niki to be his girlfriend for a second time. This time, Niki said yes. They were so young and in love. After high school graduation, Niki and Brandon weren’t sure where life would take them. They just knew they wanted to take it on together. Niki and Brandon ended up attending the same undergraduate. Sadly after her Freshman year of college, Niki’s house burnt down, and with it.. everything she ever held dear to her heart. Knowing Niki and her family had nothing now, Brandon did the unexpected. The day after the house fire, Brandon visited Niki at her aunt’s house. Upon opening the door, Niki was greeted by a smiling Brandon who had not 1 but 3 shoe boxes. At that time, Niki only had the clothes and shoes she ran out of the house. It was at that moment that Niki knew she would marry Brandon. Niki wanted nothing more than to love a person that would love her sister and mom as deeply as she did. Brandon was that person and more. Brandon, however, knew Niki was his forever long before she ever did. He had the tingles like Spider-Man (joke intended). Within the next five years, these two took on undergrad, grad school, and long distance. Then the moment everyone had been waiting for THE PROPOSAL. After Brandon received his doctorate in physical therapy, Niki had schemed to fly his childhood friends (Anthony, Jackie, and Elvis) out to Atlanta for the upcoming two-week break. Brandon was ecstatic! At this point, Brandon already had a ring but wasn’t sure when or how would ask. With the boys in town, he knew this was the moment. In 4 days, with the help of the guys, Niki’s mom, and sister, Brandon managed to put together an incredibly romantic and unforgettable rooftop proposal. On Friday, August 13th, Brandon took Niki to go dress shopping for a special dinner with the guys - or so she thought. That same day on the way to the restaurant, Brandon took a detour to an empty parking deck, drove to the top, and said, “blindfold her.” The guys and Brandon walked Niki to “Marry Me” balloons and a circle of flower petals. Brandon, after eight years, got down on one knee and asked Niki the ultimate question, “Will you marry me?” Niki, without a doubt in her mind, responded, “yes, a million times yes.” After embracing, the newly engaged couple turned around to be greeted by not only the guys and Nina but Niki’s mom, standing there with tears in her eyes. Trying to hold it back, Niki let out the ugliest cry and screamed, “we’re f*cking engaged!” Niki and Brandon were finally getting married. Now, they are getting married on October 8th, 2022. The same day, nine years ago, Brandon asked Niki to prom, where it all began. This is their love story.