It all began on a lifeguard stand in Fernandina Beach the summer of 2011. Lindsay and her best friend Kristin were working as beach lifeguards one day when Kristin texted her friend Nicholas about the surf being good where they were. Nicholas showed up a little while later. He stopped by the stand to catch up with Kristin who he knew from high school. Lindsay and Nicholas had never met previously even though they had many mutual friends. Over the next few weeks, they would hang out more and more with their shared friends. They ended the summer with a surf trip to Cocoa Beach with their friends. Lindsay and Nicholas returned to their schools, and began seeing each other over the years when they were in Fernandina. Nicholas eventually moved to Jacksonville to live at the Broplex (another story for another time) where Lindsay would come visit on free weekends from school. Over time, Lindsay and Nicholas grew to become very close friends. They would stay in touch as both traveled the country for work and school. During the pandemic, both had quietly moved back to Fernandina. This began a new phase as they both adjusted to being back in Florida. Their friendship grew stronger, beach walks became more common, and they found they liked hanging out with each other outside of their friend group. Eventually, Lindsay and Nicholas decided to start dating after each began moving to their new homes (Jacksonville for Lindsay and Satellite Beach for Nicholas). They had been friends for 12 years at this point. Why not try to date long distance? It was the best decision they had made. The distance taught them to communicate in a relationship. It allowed them to take things slowly and not rush things. After 18 months of dating, on June 27th, Nicholas asked to marry Lindsay. They were trying to figure out what to do for the weekend while she was visiting Satellite Beach, so they decided to spend the rest of their lives together. Their bond is rooted in friendship and a deep appreciation of the other as an individual. it may have taken years to get to where they are, but it was the perfect way for them. Their adventures were plentiful and now they get to build their life together.