Nicole and Joes lives began in very similar places. Growing up in neighboring Colorado towns they had mutual friends and knew the same people. God would delay them crossing paths until later in life. Until the time was right.

Nicole would grow up and attend Arapahoe High School before moving west to study at Colorado Mesa University. Joe, attending the neighboring high school Highlands Ranch, before moving north to play football (not much studying) at Colorado State University.

Nicole and Joe swear they were at the same party when Nicole visited friends in Fort Collins one night. Neither can confirm for sure. Both being in other relationships, God knew the timing wasn’t right.

8 years would pass. Life happened, Joe was living in Denver and Nicole decided to move back to her home city. Both single living in the same city, timing was getting better.

Driving into Denver Nicole would see Joe pop up on one of their mutual friends Instagram story’s. She thought “He’s cute, but he would never go for me”. Feeling fresh and excited in a new city she didn’t hesitate to still follow Joe. Little did she know, Joe saw this new follower and immediately thought “she could be my wife” and smashed the follow button.

Flirtatious messages would be exchanged back and forth for a few weeks. Joe would eventually shoot his shot and ask Nicole to lunch at True Food in Cherry Creek. A classy, low pressure place to get to know each other. Nicole accepted, so he thought.

The morning of the scheduled date, fresh Colorado snowfall covering the ground, Nicole would message Joe to cancel. Timing was not yet right.

Discouraged, Joe took it as a lack of interest and would move on…. So he thought.

Months passed, Nicole constantly on Joe’s mind and instagram feed. Joe was hesitant to reach back out, scared of another rejection. Until one night at a family dinner Joe’s dad Todd asked him “Do you have a girlfriend yet? Didn’t you have a date scheduled? How did it go?

Joe would respond in embarrassment… “She bailed”.

Without hesitation Todd would giggle and say “Well did you follow up?”

The very next day Nicole would get a random text from Joe. “Hey Nicole:)… I’m going to get some ice cream tonight, would you want to come?”

Nicole, on the phone with her mom Jennifer would receive the text. After some back and forth, Jennifer would convince Nicole to go get ice cream and finally meet this mystery boy.

Joe picked up Nicole before driving to Bonnie Brae, a cute historic ice cream shop, right up Nicole’s alley. They would sit and talk for hours as the ice cream melted. They would learn how similar their values and aspirations are, finally discuss mutual friends and stories, laughing and smiling trying to keep it cool.

Timing was finally right.

From that day on Nicole and Joe would be inseparable.

Less than year later Joe would pitch Nicole on moving to St Petersburg, FL. A different experience, a fresh view, some new friendships. Nicole and Joe both excited about the adventure packed up a Uhaul and hit the road.

Nicole and Joe would then take 3 years to build their relationship. Excitement, fear, happiness, sadness, they would go through it all.

On May 31 2024 Joe would eventually propose to Nicole in one of her favorite cities, New York. Both families standing by to surprise them, Nicole would accept the proposal.

The timing was right.

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