Our story started before we even knew each other. In 2013 my maid of honor, Amanda introduced Nick and I in a group setting. At this time Nick was too nervous to talk to me and the only thing he could think to do was ask if I wanted a piece of gum, in which I replied “no.”

Fast forward to 2015, I reached out to Nick and we began talking for months. Nick had plans to travel and left on Christmas Eve 2015 to travel Asia for a month. Despite him asking several times for me to be his girlfriend before he left, I declined. As he was traveling he made every effort to talk to me despite the difference and time zones, lack of wifi, and his desire to explore. When he came home, I went with his sister, Marlee to pick him up from the airport. Once he landed, he pulled out a pack of gum and asked me to be his girlfriend. This time I graciously said “yes”.

Shortly after he came home from Asia, he ended up moving into my apartment. To my surprise no one second guessed me moving in with a guy I have really only known for a few months. Since then we have lived in 3 apartments together until we eventually bought our first home in 2019.

If you’re doing the math, you’re right, we have been together for 9 years. I began to accept that we will not be moving forward with marriage, but knew we would always be together. That is until we went to Colorado in July 2024. We were in Colorado celebrating the Bachelor & Bachelorette party of Nicks sister and Brother in law, Marlee and Ben. On July, 26, 2024 we went on a hike at the Red Rocks amphitheater. Once we got to the top of the hiking trail, I noticed that Nick, Marlee and Ben were standing back. Marlee called me up to them saying she needed my help. When I got to her she said “oh, never mind”, confused I turned to Nick who was down on one knee. At this point, I remember nothing, I was overwhelmed with excitement. To my surprise he had saved the same pack of gum from when he asked me to be his girlfriend in 2015, with two pieces left inside. We decided to chew the last two pieces of very expired gum, where we met our friends and family at the bottom of the mountain.

The last 8 years have been honored to be apart of such a healthy and loving relationship. I am overjoyed to celebrate our love on our wedding day, November 22, 2025.