We met in Louisville, KY at The Ice House one evening in 2012. Nick was finishing his Masters program at the University of Louisville, and Nikki was kicking off her career in the event world. We both worked for Crushed Ice Events, and we were both immediately attracted to each other. Since Nick was a server, and Nikki was the boss, we tried to hide our interest in one another from everyone around us, but to our dismay, it wasn't working. We decided to be friends for a few months, and that seemed even more challenging. Nick decided to quit Crushed Ice Events in December of 2012, and in January of 2013, Nick made the first move and said they should be boyfriend/girlfriend. Conflicted, Nikki made Nick wait for a solid week before answering, and eventually said "ok, let's do this," and we've been together ever since.

Nick decided it was time to start ring shopping just after our 5th year anniversary in January of 2018. He had several ideas and would constantly mention them in passing, but Nikki would always somehow shoot them down, not realizing what was really going on. By the Fall of 2018, Nick started scheming with several friends to find the best ring and create the best proposal. Once Nick started putting things in motion, he had to get Nikki off the trail, and it worked so well, she was completely oblivious to what was actually happening. The week before Christmas, the ring arrived and started burning a hole in Nick's pocket. Every attempt he made to create the perfect atmosphere or moment, Nikki unknowingly didn't cooperate or go with the plans. So on Christmas Eve, Nick couldn't take it anymore. After coming home from church and taking family pictures, Nick crept out to the shop at the Deese house and showed Papa Tim the ring. Papa Tim decided it was time to rip off the bandaid and put it all in motion. Nikki was eating dinner in the living room when her father swooped by and grabbed her plate. Confused and a little peeved, Nikki looked back into the kitchen only to see Nick coming in from the other side with a box, and suddenly he was on one knee. Nick managed to say, "I've tried to be patient, but I can't wait anymore. I want you to marry me," before Nikki began crying. There was a very long embrace, several kisses, lots of tears, a squeaky "ok," and it was finally official! Nick and Nikki are getting married!