Nikki & DJ met during their first week at college at Illinois Wesleyan University in 2008. Both were living in Dolan Hall and worked at the front desk of the dorm building. The two started off as friends, however, towards the end of their first semester, they realized there was something more than just a friendship. They started dating in March 2009 with many romantic dates to Tommy's Grille and lavish soirees at Sigma Chi fraternity and the rest is history...

After 12 years of dating, DJ wanted to plan the perfect proposal. On May 1, 2021 DJ planned a sunrise walk at Alki Beach for him & Nikki. Nikki knew something was up when DJ started to put on jeans & told her that she might want to wear something a little nicer than leggings. However, Seattle decided it was a great day for rain and clouds, so there was no sunrise to be seen. Since the weather didn't cooperate, DJ decided to hold off on his plan of proposal & the two just went on a walk with the dog, went back home to nap, & Nikki assumed the proposal would happen another day. Later that morning DJ woke up Nikki, saying he made plans with a coworker for brunch. Tired Nikki was reluctant because they were supposed to attend a friend's baby shower later that afternoon & she didn't want to rush, but after a few complaints (and choice words) she gave in. They arrived at brunch "a little bit early" & walked up by the water front to check out the city view. This is when DJ popped the question & before he could finish getting out the sentence, Nikki excitedly said "YES!". Little did Nikki know, DJ pulled out all the stops & had a photographer friend capture the proposal. After a quick photo op, DJ took Nikki to Salty's on Alki for brunch. DJ wanted to make the day one to remember and had a whole day planned for them with a Seaplane Tour of Seattle, an amazing steak dinner at Bateau in Capital Hill and a hotel in Pike Place market. The two ended the night celebrating their engagement at the dive bars in their old neighborhood, with Screwdriver's Mystery Shots & arcade games at Jupiter. Somethings are definitely worth the wait!