It was a Saturday. After a sushi lunch with a close friend, Nicole decided to stop by Patrick Malloy's, an Irish pub in Hermosa Beach, to say "hi" to an old friend and former fellow Tour Guide who was in town for the weekend. This friend, Andy, had also invited his friend Mark, who was in the restroom when Nicole arrived. Mark returned from the restroom to find Nicole sitting in his chair, which she now occupied so that she could see the television that was airing the UW Huskies football game. (In her defense, Andy had told Nicole to move Mark's beer so that she could have Mark's seat.) Mark didn't seem to mind. In fact, Mark and Nicole got so caught up in conversation that Mark forgot about the meter where his car was parked and got a parking ticket, and Nicole eventually forgot about the football game, too.

Mark joined Nicole to watch Seahawks games, Nicole watched Mark's Packers play, and their love even endured their two teams playing each other. They enjoyed wine tasting in Sonoma and relaxing in Palm Desert. They journeyed to each other's native hometowns in Wisconsin and Washington State. And they attended several concerts and live music events at festivals, the Greek Theatre, the Hollywood Bowl, downtown Los Angeles, Chateau Ste Michelle winery, the Staples Center, and the Orange County Fair, just to name a few. On the 4th of July, the couple went to Temecula and visited a couple of wineries, one of which was Mount Palomar. Nicole commented on how beautiful the property was and that it was probably perfect for a wedding. Mark agreed and both enjoyed the wine enough to become club members, and eventually, they would, in fact, choose the venue for their very own big day.

To celebrate the anniversary of the day they met, the couple went back to Hermosa Beach and sat at the same patio of the Irish pub where they met one year prior. They reminisced about their year of dating adventures and toasted over mimosas before Mark suggested that they take a stroll on the pier. Surrounded by the sounds of the ocean waves and peace of the California coast, Mark asked Nicole to take a selfie with him. Mark zoomed in on the photo and showed Nicole the ring box he had been holding in his other hand before proposing. It was perfect.