We’re Getting Married

Jim and Nicole met quite a few times before things stuck…. The first time was at the Cracker Barrel Bar and Grill in Catawissa, PA. Jim was out celebrating his friend, Jordan’s, birthday and Nicole tagged along with her friend (and Jim’s cousin), Alex, to the party. They had an instant connection and Jim was feeling bold. Jim walked up to Nicole and offered to buy her a drink immediately. Nicole originally denied this as she would be driving, but Jim was able to convince her to have one stating, "he knew they would be there for a while". The rest of the night went well and they remained within each other’s gravity. However, numbers were never exchanged. Nicole and Jim thought of each other frequently and Nicole even tried to add Jim on Facebook, but her friend request went unanswered. Nicole took this as a sign Jim was uninterested and worked to move on. However, Jim did not use his Facebook at the time and was asking Alex about her. Nicole and Jim met for the second time when Nicole went with Alex to a family dinner Jim was at. Jim was shocked when he saw her and came out to try to spend time. He pulled out all the stops: taught her how to shoot a gun, watched Mountain Monsters, and even had her feed an apple to his mom’s deer. It was a day to remember, yet, no numbers were exchanged again. Finally, God decided he needed to go to extremes to get these two together and forced Alex to have emergency gallbladder surgery. When Alex’s pain became too much she was staying at Nicole’s apartment. Nicole knew something was wrong and rushed her to the hospital which then rushed her to another hospital for emergency surgery. Nicole pretended to be Alex’s sister to stay with her during this time and thus handled contacting people. Nicole called Alex’s dad and let him know what was going on. Alex’s dad then called Jim, who was more like a brother than a cousin to Alex, and they all rushed to the hospital at once. When arriving to the hospital Nicole was struggling with Alex’s bags, but refused help from Alex’s dad and Jim in an attempt to look “cool”. Alex remained in the hospital for a couple days and Nicole used this opportunity to get Jim’s number to keep him “updated”. Alex was discharged from the hospital only to need to go right back. Nicole rushed back to the hospital with Alex half conscious in the front seat while giving directions. Alex disclosed to Nicole during this ride that she thought Jim had a crush on her and Nicole confided she had been crushing on him too. Jim had been talking to Alex about Nicole, but Alex didn’t think Nicole was interested. Now knowing this information Alex was able to tell Jim. Jim finally made the move to kiss Nicole saying goodbye at a bonfire the day before Nicole graduated from Bloomsburg University. Although Nicole was leaving the area they made it work and the rest is history…

Jim and Nicole had been dating for 5 years by the time Jim decided to pop the question. They had already decided they were each other’s forever, created a home together, adopted two cats, a dog, chickens and had invested in their life together. Engagement wasn’t needed, but it was wanted and if he had waited this long you know it had to be done right. Jim decided it was time on one random day and saved up the money to do so. He asked Nicole’s mom for her blessing and she was more than happy to say "yes" and to help with the details. They arranged a time for Jim to travel to New Jersey. Nicole had a family diamond with emotional significance to her that he knew Nicole wanted to use and her grandmother had already offered this to Jim years prior for when he was ready. Jim showed up to Nicole grandmother’s house with yellow roses in hand (yellow roses were Nicole’s grandfather’s favorite flower before his passing and these remain as a symbol of him in their family). Jim was barely able to ask for the diamond before Nicole’s grandmother was excitedly offering it to him. Jim and Nicole’s mom then adventured to Nicole’s family's Jewler and friend, G, at Beacon Jewelers. Together they poured over designs. Jim had previously recruited his cousin Alex to find Nicole’s ring size so he was prepared. Jim chose a beautiful design in yellow gold and had it poured and designed specifically for her. Every detail of getting this ring was a labor of Jim’s love. Jim made the exchange with Nicole’s mom for the ring, but something still was missing. Jim texted Nicole he would be working late and set out to New Jersey to ask Nicole’s dad in person for her hand in marriage. Nicole was confused by this and even asked if he was cheating (although she knew he was not). Jim had been wanting to go to a look out they frequented and both loved. Jim convinced Nicole to stop there on their way to Sam’s club. They went to the look out and Jim confessed he had, in fact, lied to her about working late the night before. Nicole was confused and thought he was crazy to for admitting this to her on the edge of a cliff, but then he got down on one knee and took a small black velvet box from his pocket. He admitted he was not working late, but had gone to ask her dad for her hand in marriage in person. He then asked if Nicole would marry him and Nicole didn’t hesitate to say yes and kiss him. Nicole was in so much shock and confusion that she almost forgot to take a photo of their engagement. Her nails were undone and she looked like a wreck but she loved it and it was perfect.