Our Tale Begins

We met at Hartwick College in September 2012 in the most likely of places for two history nerds – seated across the aisle from each other in a Roman Civilization class. Discovering we had a lot in common, we formed a study group and that sealed the deal for a fast friendship. Supported by a motely crew of incredible friends (now our second family), late nights playing Dungeons & Dragons, and having the most fulfilling conversations about life and shared passions, that friendship became something deeper. When Brittany went abroad to study for a semester in Wales, we would stay up all night for each other just to video chat despite the 6-hour difference. We made it official in October 2013.

Brittany graduated from Hartwick first in 2014 and set off for Manhattan to get her master’s degree in museum education at Bank Street College of Education. Nigel finished his double bachelor’s degree in 2016 and headed for Washington, D.C. to attend George Washington University for his master’s in security policy studies. So began seven years of long-distance love. We grew as individuals, built careers, made new friends; yet despite all the odds stacked against a couple living 200 miles away from each other, we only grew closer. It took a lot of four-hour phone calls, thousands of miles on road and rail, and constant communication, but we made it work!

Besides nurturing our relationship, we also nurtured careers. Brittany became a museum educator, landing in Jamaica, Queens at King Manor Museum where she spent five amazing years directing their education programs. Nigel became a research analyst with the Institute for Defense Analysis, where he now specializes in wargaming. But we missed each other more and more, especially as plans to move in together in 2020 were held off by the global pandemic and a shaky job market. Finally, we decided enough was enough, and in April 2022, we took the leap. Brittany left NYC to move into our apartment in Alexandria, VA, where we began to make our home together.

It didn’t take long for us to fully immerse ourselves in our historic city. Today, Nigel serves on the Alexandria Historical Restoration and Preservation Commission. Brittany works for American University in their contemporary art museum, mentoring students and managing public programming. And when we’re not engaged in local politics and cultural institutions, you can usually find us exploring Old Town or spending the day at Founders Park on the waterfront.

Happily Ever After

October 29th, 2023 was a beautiful autumn day, almost exactly ten years since we began our journey together. We spent the morning grabbing breakfast at our favorite coffee shop, then volunteered as greeters to guide voters to the polls before we cast our own votes. Afterward we made our way down to Founders Park just for a quick stroll – or so Brittany thought. Instead, Nigel got down on one knee and pulled out a ring, and he asked Brittany to spend the rest of their lives together.

Of course, the answer was yes!