A Story Fate Had Been Writing All Along.
Our story started by chance—a story of a beautiful woman walking into a bar. A young Zak, on his usual accord, is out with friends at one of their favorite cigar bars, and he whispers to his friends, “Pretty girls don’t come here”. As they met eyes, there was interest, but they continued their own paths, only to be reintroduced when Nicolette came down from the bars’ upstairs game area to sit outside. She was alone in a clear, melancholy state. Little did anyone know she had lost her mother that week, to breast cancer, which was something Zak and his best friend were no strangers to; both their mothers had fought the battle of breast cancer and thankfully survived. It was clear the stars were aligning as she ended up in the best place she could’ve been that day, grieving but somehow surrounded by people who understood her better than most. The night ended as everyone thought their moment in each other’s lives would end, as it always does after a night at a bar. But that wasn’t the end for Nicolette and Zak.
Zak went home, and so did Nicolette, never to speak again. Until a few days later, when Zak said, “What the heck,” he went for it and sent Nicolette a friend request on Facebook. Little did he know that would be the beginning of their relationship. A reaction to a post led to a chat that has not stopped since; six years later, they are still enamored with each other. But life didn’t make being together as easy as their conversations were. COVID was in the midst, and they wanted nothing but to see each other.
Forced to make a quick decision, with the day trips to Allentown and back coming to an end. COVID protocols began to shut down travel, and they chose—after only a few weeks—to move in together. That day was just the beginning of forever. A beautiful forever they could only imagine beginning.
Moving into a one-bedroom loft together with no walls for privacy, over a period when everything was closed to the public, is not for the faint-hearted. Forced to have long conversations, quickly getting to know one another, how they lived, and what they wanted out of life, before even going on a proper date. In the first few days in the apartment, dates involved Angelo’s pizza and a movie, a hike on one of the local trails, or just finding a board game to get competitive over. Getting to know one another happened in a flash.
Four years later, they bought their first home, excited, a little nervous, and ready to build something truly theirs. On that same day, they found someone they loved just as much as each other—Beau, who joined their family. Small, curious, and instantly lovable, he can bring a smile to your face even on your worst days. The ball of fluff quickly became the center of their world. Together, they learned what it meant to grow. To fix what breaks. To be patient. To celebrate the ordinary moments, like watching Beau's excitement during the first snowfall, made all the effort worth it. After a year in their new home, Zak proposed, solidifying their beautiful family, full of love and respect for one another. Now, they are making it official: what everyone already knew—they vow to spend the rest of their lives together, choosing each other each and every day.