Stephen & I met about 10 years ago. Our older sisters were very good friends. They had a photography business together. For years, they fought to get us to go out on a date. They begged and pleaded. For years, we kind of just dismissed it. They often talked about how perfect we would be for each other, how alike we were and how happy we would be. Again, we just brushed it off. Stephen and I would see each other in passing, at parties or on social media. One day as I was complaining to my sister about how I would never find an Uncle for Nicolette, she said, "What about Uncle Steve?" who at the time had just recently become an Uncle. She started to show me some pictures and again I brushed it off but secretly became a little curious. We randomly connected on social media over little things like our nieces and nephews until one day I snapped him. This left Stephen and myself curious. From there we started texting, dating and fortunately hitting it off very quickly. The rest is really history. Ever since than we have built this beautiful life with so much to look forward too<3.

Stephen & I recently moved to Floral Park where we live next to my Grandparents. In the last year, we began talking about a forever, discussing marriage and the next steps. Stephen was very big on making sure all of the proposal details were kept a secret from me. His way of doing that was to pretend nothing was happening. After moving in we had a small family BBQ in the works to gather our family and warm our new home. The BBQ would consist of just our parents, siblings and of course grandparents. The morning of the BBQ Stephen and I had multiple tasks to get done for our guests arrived. Around 9:00 a.m I hear something shatter and Stephen yell for me. I ran downstairs to see him hunched over the sink with his hand and the sink covered in blood. He sliced his hand on a glass platter. We covered his hand and headed next door. My grandpa ended up taking him to Urgent Care to get 3 stitches! As Stephen got stitches, I tried to remain as calm as I could and finished all of the tasks that needed to be finish. The whole time I was so focused and worried about him. When Stephen got home, almost everything was ready and he just had to shower. I however rushed to get ready and wasn't happy with my hair, dress or makeup. Then my Grandma calls and says, "Grandpa was supposed to get the cookies. His stomach is bothering him, could you go grab them for me?" Freaking out, of course I said yes. Stephen ended up coming with me. We get back from the bakery and pull up in front of the house. As we get out he asks me to stand in front of the house with him and admire all that we have done this past month. I'm patiently waiting to get inside when he turned to me and started his speech about how much he loved us and what we have. Then it clicked, he's proposing. Everything made sense and I just wanted to squeeze him. After we turned the corner to our yard, our families were there waiting and ready to yell surprise. It was the most beautiful, thoughtful and well planned day.