"Friendships make the best relationships" is a statement that holds true for this couple.

It all began in Fall 2015 where Nicole and Rudy met on a kickball field in Hoboken, NJ playing Zog Sports. Nicole's best friend and roommate in college, Angelica, who is now married to Rudy's childhood best friend, Jonny, invited Rudy to play kickball that Fall 2015 season. The connection began instantly where Nicole could not get enough of Rudy's contagious laugh and witty attitude, followed by Rudy pulling Jonny aside and asking "Yo, who's that blonde chick?" Over many seasons of playing kickball, soccer and volleyball, as well as having many late nights with the team playing countless rounds of beer pong and flip cup at Willie McBrides, their friendship grew stronger.

Rudy tried several times to take Nicole out on a date to possibly turn their friendship into something more serious, but Nicole was very fearful of ruining their friendship, as well as the friendship they had with their mutual friends in the event things did not work out.

As time went on, Nicole and Rudy continued to talk more one-on-one and hang out in social settings. That is when Nicole's feelings started to blossom. She started seeing Rudy in a different light, getting to know him on a more personal level and finally thought it will be worth the risk when she confessed her feelings for him on the night of November 4, 2017. Since that date, the couple has been inseparable. They do everything together and genuinely enjoy being in the same company with one another. They are truly each other's best friends and soulmates.

After 3 years of dating, moving in together, growing their relationship by adding a 4-legged fur baby to their lives, Minnie, and being on lockdown for several months due to COVID-19, Rudy knew it was time to take this relationship to the next level.

On July 25, 2020, Nicole and Rudy had planned to celebrate Rudy's mother's birthday at one of her favorite restaurant's in Piermont, NY, Cornetta's. Rudy asked Nicole to get happy hour prior to dinner at a nice spot on the water (knowing that being by the water is Nicole's absolute favorite place to be). When they arrived, Rudy was fidgety and not acting himself whatsoever. Knowing one another so well, Nicole could sense something was up but did not want to overthink the situation. After a round of drinks and an order of shrimp cocktail (that Rudy could barely eat), Rudy could not wait any longer to pop the question. He asked Nicole to stand as he got down on one knee and told her that he wants to spend forever with her and asked her "will you marry me?" Without a doubt in her mind, Nicole instantly said YES!

Rudy hired a photographer to capture the entire proposal, followed by taking engagement photos all along the marina. During the photoshoot, Nicole asked, "wait, what about your mom's birthday dinner?" He said "don't worry, we will still be celebrating". When they walked-in to the restaurant, Nicole's Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother In-Law, and Rudy's Mom, Sister, Brother In-Law, and Grandmother were all there waiting to surprise them to celebrate. As an additional surprise, their best friends that introduced them, were also there and captured the proposal from the air by recording it with a drone (here's the footage: https://youtu.be/TP-F-3VPG9Y). The day and night could have not been more perfect and it was everything they could have ever imagined!

Now, here they are -- engaged and officially have set their wedding date for January 15, 2022 at the Shadowbrook at Shrewsbury. Nicole and Rudy are so excited to celebrate their wedding day with their family and closest friends, and most importantly, they are so excited to begin this next chapter in their lives.