In 2016, Nicolette and her bestie Renee booked a spontaneous trip to visit their childhood friend Dan in California. Dan just moved to a small beach town called Hermosa. Little did Nicolette know, she'd make many more trips back there. The story starts on New Years Eve. Keith decided to stop by Dan’s house to meet the girls who were in town visiting. This wasn’t your typical "fairytale" first meet for Nicolette & Keith - there were no sparks, no butterflies. Later that night though, the newly acquainted pair got to talking at the beer pong table. They learned that they grew up 2 hours from each other and had some other similarities about their childhood. The conversation eventually fizzled, and they headed out to the pier with their new group of friends. On the way to the infamous American Junkie, Nicolette secretly expressed her interest in Keith to Renee. The night goes on, and Nicolette gets some liquid courage and a pep talk from her best friend. Keith swears she made the first move, but nonetheless they danced the night away and even shared a kiss (or two) at midnight. It was pretty okay. The next day, Keith & Nicolette hung out in Santa Monica with the “Hermosa Crew” and added each other on snapchat so they could keep in touch (so 2017 of them). Eventually, Keith made sure to get her number before she left town. On her way to the airport, Nicolette gazed out the window while at a stoplight, and did a double take when she realized the car directly next to her was Keith. They rolled down their windows, pointed at each other while laughing at the coincidence, and then drove their separate ways.

Throughout 2017, the two kept in touch as friends and would make sure to meet up whenever Nicolette was on the west coast, or if Keith was home on the east coast. This went on for about a year, and Nicolette wrote in her journal about the cute west coast guy that she had a huge crush on, but could never date. And Keith confided in his best friend Dan, telling him, "it's the perfect girl, just not the right time..." The two avoided the "what are we" conversation for months, both scared to commit to a long distance relationship, uncertain where Keith's military career would bring him next. But in May 2018, Keith brought Nicolette to Perch in downtown LA to have *the* conversation. They talked for hours, and admitted to each other that this wasn’t "just a fling," and made it official. They dated long distance for two years across the country. Airport tears were shed on a monthly basis, and the two dreaded saying goodbye to each other. In August 2019, Keith got stationed in Ohio. Finally... a little bit closer to home. Nicolette drove with Keith from Hermosa Beach to the quiet town of Beavercreek to get him settled. She promised that once he found out his next assignment, she would move wherever that was (they both hoped it was somewhere even closer to home). They soon learned that Keith would get stationed in Ohio for an additional three years. Nicolette kept her word and moved to Columbus in June 2021. After almost five years, they finally closed the chapter of long distance for good, and began their new chapter together, with "forever" being not too far away...

When brainstorming the perfect proposal, Keith figured what better place to do it than in Wine Country. Everyone knows Nicolette has a love for wine. So Keith let Nicolette take the lead on planning the entire itinerary for their "quick Napa getaway" which was the perfect decoy - let her plan the trip, she'll never think he was really planning a proposal in the background. After many months of ring design meetings, secret phone calls in the car, group texts with her best friends, and finding ways to hide his phone, the day was here. One flight delay, one flight cancellation, and almost missing a layover after being rebooked (oh, the joy of traveling), couldn't stop the soon-to-be-engaged couple, and they finally made it to Napa, CA. On the very first day of wine tasting, they arrived at Castello di Amoroso (the Castle of Love), and were greeted by a photographer who asked the two to "take photos for the winery's website." Nicolette told the photographer they were running late and didn't really have time for a photoshoot, but Keith stepped in and said they would love to take a few. That's when Nicolette knew, he must be proposing, because Keith hates taking pictures! They walked through the vineyard, where the castle would be placed perfectly behind them, and Keith got down on one knee. He popped the question, tears were shed, and Nicolette said YES! Afterwards, they spent the day together, off their cell phones, soaking up every moment of bliss.