OUR STORY
CHAPTER ONE: Alex Red Lion
This is the chapter about how one night can change the course of your entire life.
On a random Thursday night in September 2018, Alex and Nick separately and somewhat reluctantly go out in New York City. Nick heads to see his roommate Justin play a show, while Alex catches up with friends from childhood—ultimately leading them both to The Red Lion in the West Village. Alex is sitting at the bar when Nick walks in, and a shared glance marks the beginning of their story.
CHAPTER TWO: Tuesdays
This is the chapter about falling in love in your 20s, with New York City as the backdrop.
Alex and Nick fall fast, but schedules are complicated and life is full. Tuesday date nights become theirs—tucked into the same cozy booth at Roebling Sporting Club, watching sports and talking for hours, or exploring different Williamsburg spots. This chapter is about the big stuff: a love that feels as all-consuming, exciting, and limitless as the city around them.
CHAPTER THREE: 203
This is the chapter about becoming part of each other’s everyday.
If the last chapter was about the big stuff, this is about the little stuff—establishing a joint Thai takeout order, having shows we can only watch together, meeting each other’s friends, and weekends at Nick’s apartment (affectionately known as Club 203). Their days begin to overlap in ways that feel natural and easy, and it doesn’t take long before their lives feel fully intertwined.
CHAPTER FOUR: The Lakehouse
This is the chapter about leaning on family, and finding hope and comfort through times of uncertainty.
Nick and Alex hunker down in New York City for most of Covid, but when they need reprieve, Carie and Jim’s lakehouse in Wisconsin provides exactly that. Days are filled with games, time spent at Cartwright’s—their cozy basement bar—and slow summer afternoons. Nick introduces Alex to pudgy pies, cheese curds, and Summer Shandys, and the lakehouse becomes a thread woven into the story.
CHAPTER FIVE: The Titas
This is the chapter about confirming what you already knew.
Nick has spent time with Alex’s New York family, but is yet to meet Mariam’s fun-loving sisters—The Titas. Alex invites Nick to his first Santa Barbara reunion, and despite him being a foot taller than almost everyone, he fits in immediately … especially on the karaoke stage. Nick even sacrifices watching the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals to play musical chairs (don’t worry, he still streams on his iPad). This time with family in Santa Barbara plants a seed about a future wedding here. The cherry on top of a great trip—Alex and Nick spontaneously fly from California to Milwaukee for the Bucks championship parade.
CHAPTER SIX: Roomies
This is the chapter about quirks.
It’s about keys going missing, clothes left in the dryer, learning the small things that annoy each other—and saying, “I’ll work on it.” Then actually following through. It’s about routines forming without discussion. The second bedroom quietly becoming storage for Alex’s business. Scout’s “short stay” turning into a multiple-month arrangement. And somehow, it all feels easy.
It’s about buying your first Christmas tree, cooking (sparingly), and realizing that everything is better when we’re together.
CHAPTER SEVEN: Along The Way
This is the chapter about Nick’s Delta status.
Traveling together—whether for a record-setting number of weddings or an escape from the city—becomes a collection of shared memories and stories, built around quality time and adventure, even when life at home gets busy. Cozy French cafés, hikes through the Costa Rican jungle, bike rides through Amsterdam, jumping off boats in Greece. These trips feel special not just because of where they are, but because they get to experience it together.
CHAPTER EIGHT: Upstate Date
This is the chapter about putting a ring on it.
Upstate New York feels special to Alex and Nick for a few reasons. For Alex, it transports her back to childhood trips with family. For Nick, it reminds him of home in Wisconsin. In December 2024, they head to the Catskills for a weekend Alex assumes is her holiday gift. Instead, Nick pulls off an intimate, romantic proposal, followed by a weekend of champagne, reading by the fire, diner breakfasts, local breweries and board games.
CHAPTER NINE: Roebling and Jrue
This is the chapter about the boys (aka Nick’s favorite chapter).
It starts with a long-overdue date at Applebee’s, using the gift card Nick gave Alex as a joke on their first Valentine’s Day seven years ago. After a sample platter and two frozen margaritas, they head next door to Dave & Buster’s in Times Square. One minute they’re drunk playing Pop-A-Shot and the next they’re filling out a cat adoption form.
Alex and Nick go to Queens to meet the kitties and immediately fall in love with the orange runt of the litter, and the oldest boy with bright blue eyes. After watching them play together, Nick convinces Alex that adopting the two of them together is the only option. The boys officially come home to Williamsburg on Mother’s Day—perfect timing for Alex to fully enter her cat mom era.
CHAPTER TEN: Here We Are
This is the chapter where we get married and celebrate with all of our favorite people.
Our story doesn’t exist without each of you. Thank you for being part of it, and for helping us write the many chapters still to come. We can’t wait to celebrate together in Santa Barbara.
