Brian and Nicole started working at the NRA together in August 2007—their first jobs out of college. They immediately became friends, a friendship that would last over five years. Brian and Nicole came from similar backgrounds: military households, Catholic upbringings with strong Italian mothers. Having been raised with the same morals, values, and of course, discipline, they found it very easy to talk and confide in each other about their personal lives and work.

Although Brian eventually transferred divisions they continued to see each other at happy hours and various activities. It wasn't until they were both single—five years from first meeting—that Nicole asked Brian out on a date. From that point forward they knew they had something special. Brian asked Nicole to be his girlfriend on December 8, 2012, and they spent two years learning about one another and developing a relationship they both knew would take them into the future.

On December 13, 2014, Brian surprised Nicole with the opportunity of a lifetime. While they were getting ready to celebrate their two-year anniversary at a romantic Italian restaurant in Georgetown, Brian sat Nicole down on their bed and dropped down to one knee and presented Nicole with the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen. Brian asked Nicole to be his wife, and Nicole was speechless. After regaining her composure she said YES!