Their story begins in the town on Mount Pleasant, MI. Nick and Whitney lived only 1.5 miles apart for their whole childhood. Despite being so close and growing up in such a small town, they don't think they ever actually met.

Fast forward many many years later, Whitney gets a friend request from Nick and accepts, as she knows of his family. A couple weeks later, she posts a picture of her at Nationals game in Washington DC and a notification pops on her phone that says "Nicholas Smith has liked your photo." Little did she know, they would match on Bumble the week she returned home.

They began messaging and getting to know one another, which Whitney found hard to do because he was giving her one word answers and not acting interested. At that point she began to give up on him, until he messaged her while out with his friends and they realized they were at bars very close to one another. With the support and presence of her friend Kate, Whitney decided to meet up with him at the one and only Anchor Bar and had a great time. That night, Nick invited Whitney to watch him sing karaoke on Instagram live, and she knew she wanted to go on a date with him, as she finally found someone just as weird and goofy as her.

Their first date was to a Whitecaps game. They talked very openly and had many laughs. Whitney felt so comfortable, it was like they had known each other their whole lives! It ended up being the best first date she had ever been on, which was saying a lot because she had been on many!

They continued to go on many wonderful dates, but Whitney knew Nick was the one after they went to prom together. As a chaperone for the high school he worked for, Nick promposed to Whit with a homemade sign. On the way there, he even made a playlist of the songs that were played at their senior proms. They danced the night away and had the best time. His thoughtfulness and fun personality have not changed to this day!

Whitney has never met someone as thoughtful, kind, funny, and strong as Nick. He has a huge heart and would do anything for her and anyone he loves. He is constantly making her feel special, loved, and like she can be herself. So it was an easy decision to make when he asked her to marry him.

A long, long time ago, in a city somewhat far away, Nick and Whitney grew up less than two miles a part, attended the same elementary school, and made it official once Nick entered high school as Whit was beginning her senior year. Fairytale stuff.

Actually, that couldn't be further from the truth. Nick had actively been searching for the one, from Mt. Pleasant to Tempe to Royal Oak, to Grand Rapids. He could not find a girl who has no tattoos, who is Catholic, and will act like they love Michigan and the Tigers.

After missing shot after shot, Nick decided to commit to being a full-time bachelor. After his friend David's wedding in spring of 2019, Nick announced to the small crowd, "I gave it all I had. When I get back I am settling down." Little did he know how accurate that quote was about to be.

Shortly after returning from California, Nick opened his bumble app and came across a familiar face named Whitney. He decided to test his luck and it was the best decision (swipe right) of his life. There was some small talk, but Nick came across rude because of his lack of responses due to the birth of his first nephew, Evan. Once Evan was finally born, Nick found more time to text Whit.

After a few drinks with some friends, Nick worked up the courage to ask Whit to meet up at the Anchor Bar. Thankfully, Whit had also been drinking that same evening, and she agreed to meet up. Nick will never forget "that smile" as soon as her saw her, but almost gave up instantly, as she was taller that night because she was wearing heels. The night was filled with smiles and laughter, and they continued to talk via text over the next few days.

Days later, they had their official "first date." Whit agreed to a night out at a Whitecaps game and Nick almost brought a ring that first night. Whit said she was running late, something he would later find out would be a normal thing. Nick was standing outside his car putting on his belt as Whit pulled up. Nick was very surprised to be greeted with a laugh rather than a look of disgust. It was a "Juanderful" night and the best/last first date of all time.

They continued to try to please each other during the honeymoon phase but they both learned very early that they could just be themselves. It didn't take long for Nick to cry and tell Whit he loved her. They would often talk about marriage, and then he proposed a little over a year after dating. They've made it through three wedding dates (shout out covid), and Nick couldn't be happier to finally make Whit his wife.