Sometimes, love begins in the most unexpected places—like an elementary school. Nicolo and Madison first crossed paths while both working at Arboga Elementary School. Nicolo was a fourth-grade teacher, while Madison ran the after school program called “STARS”. But before they even had the chance to meet, fate was already working in the background. The school principal, who was also a family friend of Madison, called her and her mom into his office one day to suggest that she meet Nicolo. Madison took a hard pass at the time . . .

To say their story started off unconventionally would be an understatement. Nicolo, known for his sense of humor and lighthearted personality, made it his mission to get to know Madison. He would crack jokes and try to start conversations, but Madison wasn’t quite sure what to think of Nicolo. Nicolo, ever the gentleman, made his first strong impression upon Madison when he had complaints about the after school program’s use of his classroom. Madison did not take kindly to Nicolo blaming her students for things. She’s a proud mama bear. Madison, determined to defend her students, conducted her own investigation and concluded that her kids were innocent. Nicolo, however, still is unsure who broke the table in his library. The problem is perhaps that Nicolo’s students were the same students Madison had after school, and perhaps they were playing us both hmmmmmm. . . . (Or they just liked Madison more she prefers to think)

Despite the rocky start, Nicolo never gave up trying to connect with Madison, albeit he wasn’t very good at it. Eventually, Madison began to gain a more holistic impression of Nicolo. His persistence, humor, and kind-heartedness started to win her over. One day, Nicolo brought her star bread that he had borrowed (or, more accurately, stolen) from a friend, claiming it was “Star bread for his favorite STARS lead”. Madison was so surprised by the gesture that she forgot to thank him in the moment. Later that evening, she emailed him to show her appreciation. What followed was an email thread that changed everything.

Nicolo cleverly tried to strike up conversation by asking Madison about her weekend plans. When she mentioned that she was going axe throwing (which, by the way, he made her lose because she was getting giddy with their emails and texts), Nicolo casually suggested they go together sometime and tried texting the number in her work email signature, which turned out to be a school phone. When Nicolo frantically tried to play that off over email, Madison, seeing his nervousness, playfully responded, “If you want my number, just ask.”

After that Friday night, Nicolo and Madison began talking every day. They stayed up late chatting and spent more and more time together. Nicolo even started joining Madison for lunch at work each day. Their first official date was, of course, axe throwing—a fitting nod to the conversation that started it all. The axe throwing business fell through (the bartender was blasting his favorite techno music, dancing the robot, and never came over to help us), so Madison and Nicolo had a movie date instead. That night was full of laughter, lighthearted moments, and the kind of connection that hinted at something truly special.

From that moment on, their love story blossomed. Nicolo stayed every day through the entire after school program to spend more time with Madison. Squiggles & Dennis (Nicolo’s dog & cat) quickly (immediately) took to adoring Madison more than they’d ever adore Nicolo. Nicolo asked Madison’s mom Shanon more and more often if Madison was allowed to spend the night at his apartment, and eventually earned her blessing for her to move in with him. In November of 2023, Nicolo stole the after school program’s phone one weekend and used it in a proposal on the cliffs above the ocean in Mendocino. In the fall of 2024, Nicolo and Madison bought their first house together and Squiggles now has the yard he deserves. Looking back, it’s funny to think that this love story almost didn’t happen, but Nicolo’s persistence and humor—and maybe a little STAR bread—made all the difference. Now, they can’t wait to celebrate their next chapter surrounded by family and friends.