In the summer of 2017, Christopher stumbled upon Nikita's profile on Facebook as "someone he might know". He added her and quickly "slid into her DMs" to ask her on a date. He made sure to mention he thought she was so beautiful. While they wouldn't have that date for a few months, they continued chatting 24/7. Nicky was working nights at the time, and Chris would stay up late into the night, often getting no sleep before his own work shifts just to talk to her. They easily found that they could talk about anything and everything and that had so many unique and random things in common. When they finally got a chance to meet in early October, Christopher picked up Nikita for ice cream and they went for a walk around Gibson Park. They laughed more than either of them had ever laughed. That day, it was clear that their connection was effortless. It didn't take long for them to want to be together all the time. Soon Nicky met Chris's daughter, Olive, and still swears that she fell in love with Olive before she ever fell in love with him. Together, the 3 of them became a unit, doing everything together. The more time that passed, the more deeply and whole-heartedly in love they fell. The rest of 2017 and 2018 passed like a dream. 2019 began with the same happiness, but by spring, Christopher was told he was being stationed in San Antonio in the fall. While they had discussed the inevitability, of his relocation before, they had never fully decided what they would do when it happened. Now faced with the choice to separate or leave Montana, Nikita felt that while Montana would always have her heart-Chris and Olive were her home now, and wherever they were to go, she would follow. They spent the next few months surrounding themselves with their friends and family, and enjoying the Montana summer. In September, Nicky took Chris to see Incubus at Kettlehouse Amphitheater in Missoula. He planned to propose at this concert. However, having never been to a large concert before, he was unaware that most venues have a "No Re-Entry" policy in place. He had left the ring in the car due to the size of the box in his pocket, and planned to go get it and return to surprise her mid-show. Never one to give-up easily, he continued looking for ways to still make the proposal happen that weekend. On their drive home the next day, he detoured and took her up to Garnet Ghost Town-a hidden preserved mining town up a winding mountain road off Highway 200. They toured the town, including a sign-guided walking trail tour that claimed to be a 20-minute excursion. They're still unsure if they just got lost, or the sign lied, but 2+ hours later they finally got back to the car. On the way down the mountain, Christopher pulled over at a scenic site that overlooked 3 incredible mountain ranges at once. There, while Nikita took a panoramic photo, he got down on one knee behind her, ring in hand. As she turned around and saw him, he began to express all of the reasons he wanted to marry her. But truth be told, they were both so excited that neither one of them really remembers anything he even said besides asking the question. She of course, said yes. They moved as an engaged couple making plans for a wedding the following year. The COVID pandemic had other plans. They postponed and spent another 1.5 years in Texas, homesick, but together. When they discovered that they were expecting a baby, Nikita rightfully refused to have a baby in Texas, so Chris requested orders back to MT, and his request was GRANTED! They were coming home!! Since 2021, they have settled into life together back in Great Falls. They have added their son Judah to their family and shared countless memories. They balance each other so perfectly, and they truly can't imagine doing this life with anyone but each other, and their beautiful children. They are so excited to FINALLY exchange vows in front of their many loved ones & walk into forever, together, as husband and wife.