Nikki and Palmer met in the Fall of 2019 when they were both in the wedding party of their dear friends Laura and JD Fox. Palmer was instantly impressed by Nikki's poise, strength, fearlessness, kindness, and beauty. Nikki was drawn in by Palmer's intelligence, humor, confidence, and smile. In the weeks that followed their meeting, Palmer shamelessly searched out Nikki's phone number from planning documents for the Fox wedding, and they began talking and getting to know more about each other. Living in Georgia only a couple hours drive from each other at the time, Palmer asked Nikki on a first date. Unexpectedly, Palmer received news of a sudden relocation to the New York City area for work; nonetheless, Nikki and Palmer recognized that their undeniable connection was worth nurturing, and decided to still go on their first date. Although Nikki almost ran her car out of gas while driving them to their first date, the couple quickly fell for each other and spent every weekend together up to Palmer's departure to the northeast. After two long months apart, they were reunited at Christmas and spent time getting to know each other's families. In early 2020, the couple had many fun highlights such as Nikki teaching Palmer how to drive in a snowstorm on Long Island, Nikki tasting grits for the first time at the Booth household, and their first Valentine's day together. As the COVID lockdowns set in, Nikki and Palmer decided to isolate together, and spent 4 months quarantining together while working remotely both in Augusta and Florida to spend time with their families. Spending 4 months together 24/7 confirmed to them that they never wanted to spend another day apart for the rest of their lives.

By the summer of 2020, Palmer knew without any doubt that he wanted to propose to Nikki. While visiting the O'Reilly's during 4th of July weekend, Palmer asked Nikki's parents for their support of the marriage while Nikki had left the house to get coffee. Palmer had already planned a weekend in October 2020 with Nikki to celebrate their 1-year anniversary in the Pocono Mountains. Unbeknownst to Nikki, Palmer invited both of their families to come join them on this weekend. Palmer convinced Nikki to take a detour after arriving at the airport, promising lunch at a Mexican restaurant on the Palisade Cliffs in Weehawken, NJ. Palmer parked the car at the nearby Hamilton Park (where the famous duel occured), claiming that the restaurant did not open for another 30 minutes. As Palmer and Nikki enjoyed the perfect fall weather and gorgeous view of Manhattan, their families snuck into the park, hiding behind a row of bushes and trees. Eventually, Nikki turned and saw the families, upon which Palmer seized her moment of surprise to drop to one knee and ask the big question. Nikki emphatically said YES (twice), and the rest is history!