This love story begins on the first weekend of April 2019 when Francesca had a soccer scrimmage at SUNY Albany, the school that Nick went to. As fate would have it, the scrimmage was the weekend after her cousin Jon Carlo’s 21st birthday, who is also Nick’s best friend from high school. What better way to celebrate your 21st than with your best friend and your cousin at PSP (Pearl Street Pub)? Francesca, Nick and Jon Carlo spent the weekend in Albany, playing pick up basketball, eating pizza and drinking - a lot. This weekend was the first time Nick and Francesca really spent time together.

Fast forward three months to the Summer of 2019, where again, fate struck. Francesca was using a guest pass at the gym Nick belonged to and saw him working out across the gym. They said hello and began a snapchat streak that still exists to this day (2,220+ days). That same summer, Nick tagged along on a family beach day (as Jon Carlo's +1, who never actually made it to the beach!). There, they spent the whole day talking about their internships, life and their dreams. Walking on the sand of Jones Beach a friendship began and they began texting constantly.

Later that summer, Nick took the important step of asking his best friend for permission to ask his cousin out. Thankfully, Jon Carlo had always said that if any of his friends were to date a family member, he’d want it to be Nick.

As they were both interning in NYC that summer, Nick asked Francesca to meet him in Bryant Park for happy hour drinks. Over chips, guac, and a couple of beers, they talked about their summers, internships, and the upcoming fall semester. The connection was undeniable.

The next five years were filled with sharing countless meals and adventures together. They have especially cherished the smaller moments, like spending their Saturdays babysitting their future ring bearer, Noah, pretending he was their kid for the day. Through it all, they built a relationship they knew was forever.

They learned, over time, that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, and that no matter what comes their way, they will always face it side by side.

Five years after that first date, Nick brought Francesca back to Bryant Park. There, surrounded by the memories of their first date (and lightning, thunder and raindrops), he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.

This is only chapter one of their story. They hope you—as family and friends—will help them start chapter two on June 20th, 2026.