The stars aligned for us to meet. We both decided to leave home and attend nursing school in Boston, Massachusetts. Despite not knowing each other well our first year there, we quickly made up for lost time when we finally became friends at the end of our program. Somewhere between a group trip to Barcelona and progressively more restricted COVID hangouts, we realized it was more than a friendship that was brewing.

Marcella was first to pop the question! It was April Fool's and Marcella decided we must take Pigno and Geppetto for a small hike nearby the house. We loaded them up with wet treats and their hiking backpack after work. About halfway through the stroll we stopped to give the boys a rest and a treat. In a heart-shaped area made out of rocks and wood, Marcella sneakily hid a small treasure box with a note inside. I noticed the box and thought she was up to something, but she denied it all! I opened the box and found a note with "April Fools!" written inside. I thought that was the end of it and the proposal would be another day. I was shocked to turn around to find Marcella kneeling with my Nonna's engagement ring in hand! In true Nicole fashion, she went above and beyond. Letting me think she was working all day, I arrived home to rose petals sprinkled around the house, and a scavenger hunt leading me to treats, an outfit, getting a mani/pedi, and, finally, arriving to one of our favorite hiking spots, where Nicole was waiting with an elaborate picnic, and one question.