Christa's version- I was in the final week of my first semester for my Master's degree and a friend desperately needed to get out of the house and asked me to grab a drink with her. Against my better judgement, yet wanting to be there for my friend, I agreed to meet her at a restaurant for a drink. There, we ran into an old coworker who convinced us to continue the night at a bar across the street. My old coworker started bringing up old topics and so my friend left. I didn't want to be there any longer......anyone could have saved me in that moment from that conversation but not anyone would have captured my attention. Nick, who knew my old coworker and who was his current coworker, walked up and introduced himself. Our friend (my old coworker and Nick's current coworker) introduced us and in the moment when Nick and I locked eyes the world fell away and it felt like Nick and I were the only two in the room in that moment. The conversation resumed and quickly our friend realized it was no longer a three-way conversation and Irish Goodbye-d us. Nick and I sat there for the remaining of the evening, talking and getting to know each other without a pause or awkward moment. He brought a sense of comfort and security that I had never felt before. It felt like I had known him already although things were new. Out of no where the bartender tapped Nick on the shoulder and told him that they were closing up for the night. We had totally lost all track of time within our conversation. As a gentleman he walked me to my car, stole a kiss and asked when he could take me out on a date/see me again. That was Sunday, January 9th 2022. I made him wait till Tuesday the 11th to see me again, although I had nothing going on on the 10th. After that we have been pretty much joined at the hip enjoying each others company.

In June 2022 we flew out to spend time with Nick's son and so I could finally meet him in person. He is the sweetest smartest little darling boy.

Nick's birthday was coming up that July and I was planning a surprise birthday trip to Tahoe for his 30th birthday. He had never been to Tahoe in the summer, nonetheless for the 4th of July, so I was so excited that this would be a new and unknown experience for him. Little did I know he was planning a surprise of his own. We went for a hike over looking Emerald Bay and he proposed July 3rd, 2022 to my complete surprise. He tried so hard to help get me to pick a cute outfit for the hike but ultimately couldn't guide me too much without me getting suspicious so he proposed to me while I was in a sweatshirt and leggings. Thank goodness the mountains were gorgeous.

I finished my Master's degree in April 2023. Nick and I enjoyed some time without my school work. We flew out to my graduation in October, excited to close the chapter.

After my Masters graduation then we started to think about wedding planning. I had the hardest time finding a dress which ultimately was the hold up. I finally found a dress June 2024 (in Nashville!) got our engagement photos done on Broadway (downtown Nashville) and we dove right into wedding planning to have our wedding on the anniversary of the day we met 3 years later.

Nick's version-It was Sunday January 9th, 2022, I was headed over to Khartoum Lounge (the bar I worked security at) to grab a drink with some people I had met the night before. I had only planned on having a few and calling it an early night but fate had other plans for me. I noticed my coworker walk in with two girls. Which I thought was odd considering they were obviously out of his league, but paid no mind and side barred the thought in consideration of the people I was with. my guests finally left, and I decided it was a good stopping point for the night, after all I had a long workday in the morning. I walked over to say hi and bye to brent and that's when I saw her. Brent introduced me to the most beautiful blond-haired blue-eyed angel I'd ever seen. He conducted the introductions and in that moment time felt still. it was like a scene from a movie, guy meets girl and then slow motion as their eyes meet, except this was here and now happening to me. I'd never believed in love at first sight before, maybe infatuation or lust but not love not until this moment. She says I cracked a smile and that was the moment for her but for me it was the second I stared into those deep blue beautiful eyes. We started talking and next thing I know hours had passed and both of our friends had left and we were being told by the bartender that it was closing time. I walked her to her car and we continued talking for another few hours. we talked about everything and laid everything bare at each other's feet, it was the first time I felt safe to be vulnerable with my feelings. I asked her if it would be alright to take her out the next day but was expectedly denied thankfully though she said the day after she was free. That night I got no sleep with a racing mind and beating heart all I could do was wait patiently for Tuesday to arrive.

After a very successful first date and many more to follow we took a trip to Fort worth Texas where I finally got to introduce her to my son. She was instantly smitten with him. The love and compassion she showed him in that brief time was proof that I made the right choice and that she would make an excellent mother.

July was fast approaching and with it my 30th birthday. Christa had planned out a very nice surprise birthday trip and did her best at keeping all details hidden from me but to no avail, little did she know I was planning to turn what was supposed to be a day about me into a trip all about her. I had pieced together where we were going and what we were doing and whatever I didn't know I beat it out of (not literally) the friends we were bringing along for the trip. I turned my birthday trip into an engagement trip and on the 3rd of July overlooking emerald bay in lake Tahoe I got down on one knee. It would have been super romantic but apparently I cant talk when I'm overwhelmingly nervous and looking up at her tear filled blue eyes. She said yes and we were officially engaged.

My life has truly been like a movie. I've had tragedy, lots of comedy and way more drama then I care to share. But despite everything the world has thrown at me I get my happy ending with the most amazing, beautiful, and smartest woman I've ever known. And our happy ending starts on the 3 year anniversary of the Sunday we met in the bar, which is the day I get to call her my wife.