It all started when Brandon went off to CNU… so really, we owe this whole story to Brandon. When a few of Brandon’s college friends came to visit East Quogue, none of us knew that weekend would change everything. Nick came to stay at our house for a few days one summer, and from the moment we met, something just clicked. My very first thought was, “Wow… he is such a gentleman.” He had amazing manners, the kind of kindness you don’t forget, and I remember wishing our conversations would never end. He told story after story about his travels, and somehow he always had something new and fascinating to say. At some point, I realized he was spending more time talking to me than hanging out with Brandon and the guys—which I found hilarious… and also didn’t mind one bit. We talked nonstop that entire weekend. A few days after he left, my mom mentioned that something had arrived in the mail. It was a handwritten thank‑you card from Nick. A real card. In the actual mail. I remember thinking, What man does this anymore? That’s when I knew he was different. That’s when I knew he was the one. From then on, we never stopped talking. I started spending more time with the CNU lacrosse crew, and every time I visited campus, I made sure to find Nick. One day, he called and asked me to be his girlfriend. I was nervous about long distance, but Nick wasn’t—he kept reassuring me that we’d make it work. And we did. In fact, the distance only made us stronger. Fast‑forward: Erin earned her Master’s in Occupational Therapy, we moved in together, and we added our beautiful fur baby, Stacy, to the family. Now, here we are—ten years later—happier than ever and ready to celebrate the next chapter of our story.