Nicole & Zach

July 16, 2022 • Freedom, WI

Nicole & Zach

July 16, 2022 • Freedom, WI

Our Story

The Story of Zach and Nikki

Zach and Nikki met in 2014 while they were both in their master's programs at FSU. Zach was starting his second year as a master's student in jazz studies, and Nikki was a first year ethnomusicology student. They had music bibliography together, and Nikki always jokes that Zach was the only good thing that came out of that class. In November, he invited her out to hear him play. She thought it was a date. It wasn't. But, it turned into one anyway.

December 28, 2014

They started dating in November, and Zach couldn't stay away. He flew to Wisconsin to visit her over the holiday break, and they went to a Packer game for her birthday. She was shocked that he made the trip after only spending a month together! He met her entire family in one go (and he kept dating her!).

Florida Man definitely had plenty of fun in the snow! Nikki was less thrilled about having to build snow people in freezing temperatures, but she did it with him anyway.

February 14, 2015

On Valentine's Day, the Italian Stallion cooked one of his signature dishes for Nikki (complete with his David apron and chef's hat), and thus was born their love of cooking together.

That first year, they had all sorts of fun adventures together. They traveled to Wisconsin again and biked in Door County, did some crafting, and went on fun dates!

February 28, 2015

In the spring, Zach decided that he wanted to do a doctoral program at UM, so they traveled to Miami to explore and found their all-time, favorite restaurant: Fratellino's.

July 21, 2015

Zach auditioned for the program and got in, so in the summer, Nikki helped him move to Miami. She learned that he has a lot of CDs.

Nikki missed Zach quite a lot, so one day in November she sent him several photos of a kitten in her apartment. He said, "Is that a kitten in your apartment?" She said, "Yes! His name is Oliver, and I love him!" From that day forward, they became cat parents, and Zach helped teach Oliver to walk on a leash so that they could take him places.

April 30, 2016

Nikki graduated with her Master's in Ethnomusicology in 2016. She made Zach sit through the ceremony even though he never walked in any of his own graduation ceremonies.

After that, Nikki started her PhD. Zach was still working on his DMA. They got another cat to fill the void of long distance. Beaver certainly filled Nikki's apartment with plenty of extra hair, but the cuddles are worth it.

May 11, 2018

In 2018, Zach graduated with his DMA!! Nikki made him walk for this one. Introducing: Dr. Bartholomew!!!

Finally, in 2019, Nikki moved to Miami after she finished the coursework for her PhD and became a PhD Candidate. Zach learned that she has a lot of stuff. They redecorated the house and created a music studio where they both teach private lessons.

Zach and Nikki love recording and performing together. They have done several projects in their home studio together and have performed in other venues in Miami.