We met at 99 Trivia Night. Our lovely friend Nathan was planning an evening with Nick and another friend. Nicole on the other hand was bored (who at the time lived/worked in the same college residence hall as Nathan) and texted Nathan to hang out. Nathan invited Nicole to join in the 99 Trivia night. Nathan's other friend ended up dropping out, so it was just Nathan, Nick and Nicole. We arrived about an hour before trivia was to start, so that we would get some food and chit-chat. Nathan, being the sassy instigator that he is, decided to have some fun. He announced to the table, "Welcome to Speed Dating with Nathan Kozach!! I am your host Nathan and I want to introduce you two". He proceeded to introduce Nick, telling Nicole all the various things and secrets about Nick. And once he was finished with talking about Nick, he proceeded to tell Nick about Nicole, only he wasn't as fully versed in Nicole knowledge because they had only been friends for a few months compared to the 15+ years he has known Nick. Both Nick and Nicole laughed it off thinking it was just Nathan being Nathan. But Nicole excused herself to use the restroom before trivia started, and Nathan leaned over to Nick and told him that he was originally just joking about the speed dating thing, but as he kept talking he realized that they would be a good match. Then a little bit into trivia, Nick left to use the bathroom, and Nathan told Nicole the exact same thing. Although they didn't win trivia, numbers were eventually exchanged, again with the help from Nathan, and Nick and Nicole haven't stopped talking since.

So this is a bit of a long story. Nick got the ring, and hid it in his sock drawer, wrapped in a sock. For those of you who do not know, Nick will sometimes talk in his sleep. And not long after he had gotten the ring, Nicole had gotten up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. As she sat up, Nick (while dead asleep) asked her what she was doing. She responded with "Going to the bathroom, lay back down", to which Nick responded "Did you find the ring?" Nicole half asleep herself honestly didn't think much of it, she always said that if Nick ever hid the ring in the apartment that she would snoop for it. Nick almost crapped his pants the next morning when Nicole told him what he had said. Nick really wanted to get The Gallups blessing to marry Nicole and a few sad life events happened and he didn't feel it was right to ask, until The Gallups came down to Rhode Island to celebrate Lisa's birthday in September. Nick tried really hard to separate Nicole from her parents but that didn't happen. So he called them after they left and asked. They were both excited and agreed to help Nick get Nicole up to Scituate Lighthouse so he could propose. Nicole then went home to be with her mother on her actual birthday (middle of week). It was at this time that Lisa offered to have Nick and Nicole up for a roast beef that was still in the freezer. She told Nicole to talk to Nick about it and pick a day. Nicole brought this idea home to Nick, and without putting much thought said this weekend we'll be in the area and we should be good and conserve gas. Nick was stuck and couldn't argue even though he wanted some time to prepare. He frantically started talking to a photographer about availability on Sunday the 16th (Nicole had mentioned once to him (like a year and a half ago) that as long as the moment was captured she would be happy). This guy was totally booked, and Nick decided to follow through anyway.

Day of the proposal, Nicole thinking it was just a plain mall day, dressed in jean capris, a 3/4 graphic tee that said "Introverts unite we are here we are uncomfortable and we want to go home" bun, bandanna and converse. They drove up to Braintree MA to do some shopping for a upcoming wedding they were going to. After leaving the mall, Nick and Nicole went to Michael's to get supplies for Nicole to make a wreath for her mother. As Nick and Nicole arrived at the Gallup's house after all the errands, Nick suggested that they take a walk to the lighthouse. Nicole squashed that idea real quick (not wearing the right shoes, crappy ankles, and crafting to do). Being pressed for time, Nick got Lisa involved. She got Mark to tell Nicole that he heard there were seals at the lighthouse, and she wanted pictures. "I don't have my nice camera" was Nicole's response, but Lisa pushed her to go. So Nicole reluctantly put down the crafting supplies got Nick (even said, "Happy now? You get to go to the lighthouse now"). Barefoot, Nicole drove to the lighthouse. Upon arriving, she noticed that the beach was too crowded with people and that no seals would be hanging out here. Nick said "Let's keep looking." They walked to the jetty and walked out about 1/3 of the way. Nicole was not having it, and said "There are no seals". So Nick asked to just sit and enjoy since they were there. Sitting in direct sunlight, and wearing black, Nicole quickly got irritated. She asked to leave, and Nick said no lets just enjoy. He kept looking at his phone and looking around, but Nicole didn't read into it. And finally after some more pestering Nick agreed to leave. Nicole got up and Nick caught her and said "I just want you to know, I love you" and he proceeded to get down on one knee and say "will you marry me" and Nicole's response was "Yes yes of course" and then she noticed a photographer taking pictures of them, and she said "I hate you". The photographer had a cancellation and made Nick's day