Nikita and Mitch originally met at NU Start, an orientation program through UNL where students arrived early to campus to participate in activities, take a class, and move into the dorms. This is not only where Nikita and Mitch met, but also where Nikita met her two close friends, Kirstie and Lauren. It definitely paid off that her mother forced her to go! After NU Start Mitch and Nikita's friendship continued to grow as they enjoyed many Husker games, travels, and Putt Putt golf games together.

Mitch was visiting, and after a weekend of spending time with family he surprised Nikita by proposing his last night in town. Mitch told Nikita that he had a present for her and when she opened it, she saw it was a puzzle of the two of them together. When Nikita opened the puzzle, the ring was inside. Full of emotion Mitch blacked out, could barely speak, and never heard Nikita say yes. There was a knock at the door and a group of friends and family came in and joined them for dinner to celebrate.