Ally worked the front desk of the weight room at University-Wisconsin Whitewater. One evening Nick came in to work out like usual, but had a different workout partner. Little did he know, his workout partner, Josh, was an old friend of Ally’s. Nick and Josh just happened to schedule their daily workouts at the same time as one of Ally’s regular shifts. Josh and Ally frequently chatted during that time, about pretty much anything that came to mind. Nick always hoped Ally was working, and Ally always hoped Nick was coming to work out. After learning that Nick is a pretty shy guy, Ally had to make sure to include Nick in the conversations. One day, Nick happened to be working out by himself, he noticed Ally wasn’t herself that night. He asked what was wrong, she said nothing was wrong and that she was just tired. Well Nick didn’t buy that excuse, so he asked again. Ally finally admitted she was annoyed with someone and it put her in a bad mood that night. Nick said he was sorry for how she was feeling and went back to his workout. Moments later he walked back up to the desk and asked Ally to give him her hand. Reluctantly she extended her left hand, Nick quickly told her not that hand, her other one. So she extended her right hand instead, Nick reached out and shook Ally’s hand, in the process discreetly handing her something. She found out later this is called an “Italian Handshake”. He had given her a little multicolored bracelet, confused she asked him why he gave this to her. She thought he just needed her to hold onto it while he worked out. She said I’ll make sure you get it back before you leave, Nick said he didn’t want it back until she was actually feeling better. From that day on Nick and Ally started interacting on a regular basis outside of the gym. Finally Nick asked Ally out on a date to breakfast. For those of you that know Ally, mornings are not her cup of tea, but she made sure she was up and ready to go, and only made him wait a few minutes.

As Nick and Ally continued to date they worked to build a strong relationship and both saw a future together. Nick started feeling that girlfriend just wasn’t a fitting title for Ally, she was just so much more to him and Ally couldn’t see her future without Nick. Nick began thinking about everything they had been through as a couple, breaking his arm and having surgery, moving in together, adopting a dog; everything just felt right when they were together. As Nick started to plan a proposal he recruited his family's help. His youngest sister was playing in the marching band in Disney World in the spring: that was the perfect ruse. Nick and Ally decided to meet his family in Disney, for a well needed mini vacation. Before the trip Nick made sure to secretly meet with Ally’s parents to ask their permission. With permission given, Nick and Ally were on their way to Florida. After some well spent time at the beach and a trip to Universal Studios, they found themselves at Disney’s Magic Kingdom on their last day in Florida. Ally was clueless that Nick had planned all this out and managed to sneak away from home to design and purchase a ring. Nick and his family had planned to get a family caricature done, at least that’s what they told Ally. They had actually planned that the artist would draw Nick proposing. The artist drew Nick first then had the pair switch. As the artist was near finished, Ally began to suspect something, as they had started to draw a crowd. The artist drew Nick proposing to Ally. Before the artist revealed the photo, Nick got up and said before you see the picture I have something to ask you. He got down on one knee and said to Ally, “You are my everything and make me smile every day. Ally Barnsley, will you marry me?” Ally of course said yes through tears, and if you ask Ally she has no idea what Nick said. As the crowd applauded the newly engaged couple, the artist drew in Ally’s answer on the picture. They will forever have that picture as a memory of such an exciting and special day.