It was the summer of 2019 when fate (and a determined Maid of Honor) stepped in. Sabrina—Miranda’s best friend and future Maid of Honor—had recently started dating Neelin, a good friend of Nicholas. She had a feeling Miranda and Nicholas would hit it off and suggested they all meet up for a group dinner at Raleigh Beer Garden. Throughout the dinner, Nicholas, a fan of dark beers, was excited to share his favorites—but Miranda, who doesn’t actually like beer, smiled and tried not to gag. It wasn’t exactly love at first sip, but they hit it off immediately. As the night wore on, the group made their way to a dueling piano bar, where Nicholas—after some nervous pacing —asked Miranda to dance. Though not the most coordinated, he knew there was something special in that moment, and the two danced the night away. From that night on, the adventures began. Nicholas took Miranda to her very first NC State tailgate, introduced her to The Growler—a charity beach volleyball tournament—and even brought her to his family’s vacation home in Topsail Beach. It was there Miranda got her first real glimpse of the wild and wonderful world of the Apostolico family. Be sure to ask about the annual family Easter Egg Hunt that may have ended with a slightly concussed sibling, or the legendary four-day rafting trip Nicholas, Philip, and Brock (yes, the officiant) took down the Neuse River... on a homemade raft. Of course, it wasn’t all one-sided. Miranda soon brought Nicholas to visit her hometown of Newport, North Carolina, where he quickly discovered the roots of her foodie personality. Surrounded by homemade meals and coastal hospitality, he ate so much he nearly had to be rolled back to Raleigh. As the years went on, they continued building a life together. They moved in, blending their mutual love for cooking, hosting, and making their home feel like a place where everyone was welcome. In December 2023, Nicholas decided it was time to take the next step. He brought Miranda back to Marbles Kids Museum—the spot where she had first told him she loved him. He chose it not just for the memory, but because he wanted it to be the place where he told her he would love her forever. With nerves in his heart and a ring in his pocket, he asked her to marry him. She said yes—and Nicholas, so overwhelmed in the moment, promptly placed the ring in her hand… not on it. (Don’t worry, he figured it out eventually.) Now, they’re ready for their next big adventure: getting married and continuing their story, hand in hand—this time, with the ring on the right finger. They can't wait to celebrate this next chapter with the people they love most—because every good story is better when shared. To Miranda, Sweet Pea, Button, I adore you and cannot wait for every next day with you. ~Nicholas