Beautiful couple: Nicole & Michael Location: Brookside Gardens Photographer: Tigran Markaryan Equipment: Nikon d800, Nikon 24mm 1.8g, Nikon 70-200 FL

How did you guys meet?

We met at a mutual friends going away party at the bar where Mike was working. I was drinking with friends but kept getting distracted every time Mike would walk in my direction. I brought a friend and we met back up the next night but since I had JUST gotten out of a long term relationship I told Mike I would never date him. Somehow he convinced me that I was wrong and we wound up going out. It was a fun night (as friends) but I was convinced that it was not going anywhere. After I shut the door he knocked again and told me “I’m going to marry you one day” with a completely straight face and the only thing I could do was laugh at this crazy guy and tell him “nothing less than 3 carats!” And the rest is history!

What is your favorite way of spending time together?

We’ve totally become those people that are always at the dog park together with our puppy. We both also thrive on being social and love going out with friends or going to sporting events together (especially Caps games). I think our absolute favorite thing to do together though has to be cooking – we totally get in each other’s way when we cook parallel to each other so when we’re working on the same meal we have a way of working in tandem that’s like a dance routine – we know each other’s next move and love making a meal that we will both enjoy! We also love traveling together though we don’t get to go away as often as we would like.

What was your first impression of each other?

I thought that Mike was a total New Jersey, fist pumping frat boy and I think I am the most high maintenance girl he’s ever dated – and I’m not even THAT high maintenance – I swear 🙂

Tell us about a favorite memory that you shared together.

I think it has to be how easily we both caved when it came to getting a dog. We agreed that we were going to wait at least 6 months and when we met the puppy the next morning we adopted her on the spot!

What do you like the most about each other?

Nicole can read people so well and always knows how to put a smile on their face. She can brighten someone’s day no matter their current mood.

Mike has an amazing demeanor that brings excitement to any situation – making everyone feel at ease

If you could describe your relationship in 3 words, what would they be?

Partners in crime!

3 fun and random facts:

  1. I surprise moved in with Mike (I promise there’s more to the story but it is really funny and he was definitely surprised when he realized what happened).
  2. When Mike proposed my initial response was “It’s about time!” (said through my tears of joy).
  3. Though our jobs have changed through the years we’ve both ended up working in the beer industry.