It’s a story about Naomi and Nick: the love story of two beautiful people, inside and out, and their stunning Santa Barbara Courthouse engagement celebration.

“Wait for the one who simply adores you. The kind of person who brings out the best in you and makes you want to be a better person; the only person who will drop everything to be with you at any time no matter what the circumstances, for the person who makes you smile like no one else ever has. Wait for the person who wants to show you off to the world because they are so proud of you. And most of all, wait for the person who will make you a priority because that’s where you belong.”

This is such a beautiful quote, isn’t it? From the moment I met Nick and Naomi, I knew they found this person in one another. The way they looked at each other, in gentle smiles and light hand touching as if to say “I’m always here for you”.

The Spark

Nick is originally from the Santa Barbara area. He works in the concrete industry helping with designing and building decorative patios, sidewalks, and other projects. He loves being outdoors, riding bicycles, and motorcycles. As for sweet Naomi, she was born in Minnesota but lives here in California and has gone back and forth between the states most of her life. She is the administrator at a church in Camarillo. For fun she writes a lifestyle blog Happily Dwell (make sure to check it out as well as her Instagram here!). She is passionate about relationships, photography, succulents, and drinking lots of coffee (Nick is a big coffee fan too 😉

One lovely day Nick decided to come down to Camarillo to help his mom and a friend with a garage sale. Upon arriving there, he was told that there was going to be a dinner with some friends coming over that evening. And as he said, against his “normal” decision making, he chose to attend. Guess who came to that dinner? Our beautiful Naomi! She had just returned from a trip to the Czech Republic at that time and was pretty jetlagged (9 hour time difference can do that indeed 🙂

Nick: When we were sitting there at the table on the patio having dinner, down came Naomi from her apartment. I felt that there was (on my part) an immediate attraction. I (at the time) had no idea that she would ever like me, or find me interesting. So I finished up the night, made some comments to my mom and her friend about how I was attracted to Naomi, and went on with my life thinking that we would probably never talk again.

Naomi: Nick caught my eye right away, but I figured I’d never see him again and that he wouldn’t be interested in me anyways. 

Nick: It wasn’t until a week later that I was informed that Naomi had made the exact same comments about me!

So thankfully with a little bit of matchmaking and “parental” encouragement and connections, Nick was given Naomi’s number to ask her out on a date.

Naomi: He blew me away on our first date. Best first date ever! He brought me a beautiful potted succulent in a basket surrounded by sea glass and we just clicked the whole night. The more time I spend with Nick the more I like and love him. He’s become my best friend and favorite person to be with in the whole world. I love that we can do anything together and just enjoy being in each other’s company.

Nick: I believe the spark happened the night we met at the dinner. But it wasn’t until I actually went out with her that I realized just how special she was. What made me “know” that this was the woman that I wanted to develop a relationship with was when we first kissed while walking on the beach in Santa Barbara. 

The Proposal

Now I’m dying to hear how you proposed, Nick!!!

Nick: We got engaged on the same exact spot we had our first kiss. I felt that it would be a significant place to ask her to be my wife. I waited until just before the sunset on a beautiful evening on our “date night” in Santa Barbara. I told her nothing could beat this night. As she agreed, I then pulled out the ring, and said…. “Except for this!” I then asked her if she would marry me, and she said yes. 🙂 My family was very excited to hear the news. The family members that I am closest with already knew of my plan.

Naomi: It was a beautiful evening! Of course, I cried (happy tears) as he asked me to be his wife. And I said yes!
It’s been so fun to share our exciting news with family and friends who have joined in our joy! They are so happy for us and celebrating right alongside us as we get ready to get married.

New Beginnings

I asked them later what they are looking forward to most about married life. Here is what they said:

Naomi: So many things! Doing life together, being that person Nick can always count on, knowing that Nick is my rock, building a home, life and family together. I look forward to the little everyday things and the big adventurous moments. I look forward to loving Nick, taking care of him, being a good wife to him.

Nick: For me, it’s just the idea of always having your partner with you. Through all the trials and tribulations. To have her back, and she has mine. To grow together. To love each other. Having someone to share your passions, time, and life with will be like winning the lottery. And there is no one else in this world that I would want to do this with except Naomi.