Our Story

Nick and I had known of each other since middle school. We walked the same halls but never actually spoke. We went on to different high schools, had different friend groups, and later attended different colleges, me at OU and Nick at CSU. Somehow, despite all those years, our paths never really crossed.

That changed one day when Nick sent me a DM on Instagram. There was no clever pickup line, just one word: “Bela.”

If you know me, you know I hate when someone simply texts my name without explanation. So naturally, I replied with just his name: “Nick.”

We started chatting, exchanged Snapchats, and got to know each other a bit, but eventually the conversation fizzled out.

A little while later, he was hosting a pregame before a night out. I almost didn't go because I assumed he wouldn't even notice whether I was there or not. Instead, we spent the entire evening together, talking nonstop at 77 Degrees and rarely leaving each other's side. By the end of the night, he asked me out on a date.

I said yes, but honestly, I wasn't convinced he'd actually follow through.

The very next day, he asked for my number.

For our first date, Nick took me to Koshi, completely unaware that it had been my favorite sushi restaurant in McKinney for years. My family had been going there forever, and, as it turned out, so had his. Nick was even friends with the owner, Jay. As if that coincidence wasn't enough, our waitress greeted me by name and then asked if I wanted my usual glass of red wine. I was completely embarrassed, but we couldn't stop laughing. We spent the evening talking, enjoying sushi, sake, and getting to know each other.

On our second date, Nick made homemade bolognese completely from scratch. To this day, it's still one of the best meals I've ever had.

As summer came to an end, Nick was preparing to return to CSU to finish school, and neither of us knew what the future would look like. We kept making the most of every moment together, going on dates and enjoying the time we had.

Before he left, he asked me to be his girlfriend.

The rest, as they say, is history. We have been together ever since.