Nicholas Daniel Igoe came into this world on a cold wintery night on December 28, 1984. As he was just born, he was unaware that 29 years later, his birth date would one day be his wedding anniversary date. If we were to have a time machine and ask him his thoughts, he'd probably agree even then that this is a great idea.
In the town of Croydon (20 miles south of London, England), Mary Margaret announces to the world (via landline of course) that Victoria Margaret Cox had graced us with her presence. Although she proudly bears her British heritage (and still holds her pinkie quite gracefully, I might add), Victoria’s stint in England was short-lived and the Cox family moved back to Minneapolis when she was 1 year old.
Nick starts working at Scandia Bake Shop. He works in the kitchen filling the flour and sugar bins, cleaning up after incredibly messy bakers, and slowly developing an understanding of different baking techniques. He’s remarkably lazy, so owner Gary Arvidson doesn’t trust him with the secret family recipes.
Victoria applies for a sales clerk position at Scandia just a few months later. It is quickly determined that she looks Swedish enough, and owner Gary Arvidson hired her on the spot. She primarily works in the front counter area helping customers and restocking the display cases. Unlike Nick, she’s remarkably ambitious and confident and begins to redevelop order guidelines, shipping procedures, and begins to assist everybody everywhere in the bakery with different tasks.
While sitting in the front of the bakery, Nick is reading his weekly pull-list of comic books. This was a regular occurrence for Nick, as he always would read his Wednesday comics before starting work at the bakery.
Victoria, curious as always, sits down next to Nick to see what he’s reading. A certain comic book in Nick’s stack piques her interest.
Victoria reads this particular comic book. She then calls Nick’s house and leaves a gushing voicemail on his parents’ answering machine. Nick’s dad, not exactly used to girls calling the house for Nick, tells Nick “you may want to hear this…”
Upon hearing the voicemail, Nick realizes that he should lend Victoria more comic books.
Victoria returns to the town of St. Joseph to begin her sophomore year at St. Ben’s. She then develops what will be a very deep friendship with her maid-of-honor-to-be, Kristin Roehl.
Nick talks with Victoria every night on the phone. Victoria asks Nick about his film school aspirations, while Nick asks Victoria about costuming and theater.
She mentions something about wanting to be an accountant.
While clearing out her browser bookmarks, Victoria sees a bookmark for Nick’s cheesy blog. She remembered reading his different posts with titles like "Why Joss Whedon's X-Men are the Best Yet" and "Ju-On: The Scariest Movie Ever?!?!"
She then discovered an article titled "The Woman of my dreams."
Spoiler Alert: It was about HER.
One week later, with no clue his cover has been blown, Nick invites Victoria out to see one of their favorite movies, "I Heart Huckabees." After the film, Victoria drops the bomb...
Victoria begins to see Nick for the handsome, dashing, romantic man that he is. The past few months she'd spent with him were some of the most fun she's ever had with a singular person. Possibly it could work?
Nick is relieved to know that Victoria hasn't filed a restraining order against him yet. He believes that even though his intentions will be under higher scrutiny from here on out, it doesn't change his feelings he has for her.
They venture on their first trip together, flying to Fort Lauderdale, Florida with Victoria's mother Mary Margaret and brother John. It rains the first four days they're there and they visit every flea market in the surrounding counties. This is undoubtedly the strangest Cox family tradition Nick will stumble upon.
Nick begins working at Great Harvest Bread Company in the Linden Hills neighborhood in South Minneapolis. Since his managers will be reading this, Nick would like to take this opportunity to proclaim that he believes Great Harvest to be the second-greatest thing to have ever happened to him. Ever.
It is also here where Nick meets his future best man Daniel Erdmann, whom finds Nick to be as equally charming.
Victoria graduates college from St. Ben's and moves into a house in South Minneapolis with her friends Dylan Thomson, Carly Wogen, and Jake Hilleseim. She also scores a great gig working at the accounting firm Ernst & Young as a staff accountant.
Nick realizes that his life with Victoria after 8 years still involves cartoons on Saturdays, random basement dance parties, spur-of-the-moment romantic dates, cross-country adventures, and other exciting life-experiences. Maybe it was finally time?!
He gives up ring shopping. As he begins to realize he can't accomplish this on his own, Nick tells his sister Christina that he needs her help finding that perfect ring for Victoria.
Victoria meanwhile goes “ring shopping” with Kristin just to get an idea as to what she’d like. She finds an engagement ring similar to Kate Middleton’s ring: A large blue gem. Kristin coyly mentions this to Nick, who shrugs, tells Kristin she's crazy, then runs to find some scratch paper to get this hot tip scribbled down.
Nick’s semester starts back up. With textbook and bus card rates going up, Nick quickly runs out of money. The Proposal is postponed.
While having dinner with his sister, Nick mentions that he doesn't think he can buy a ring until he completes his degree the following Spring. Christina points out to Nick that "it's been 7 fucking years and you clearly love her and it's shitty that you think there's something that stands in your way."
While it's not the best language one could use, it worked.
Nick started ring shopping again.
During their errands, Victoria politely asks Nick about a possible timetable as to when they could talk about marriage, and Nick coldly lies to her, telling her that he’ll feel better about “wedding talks” in six more months, when he’s done with school. Victoria reluctantly agrees.
He finds the ring! On Etsy, he finds a 1950s London Hallmark white gold blue topaz antique engagement ring. He has the ring shipped to his parents house, explicitly telling his parents to “not open any damn package” with his name on it.
Etsy seller tells Nick it will take him one whole month to get the ring, which sets the arrival date right before Christmas…
…hopefully.
Meanwhile, Victoria is at a holiday dinner with some colleagues. Her exact thoughts at the time were when exactly she could wrap Nick's Christmas presents, how many Goodyear Blinmps there are in the world, and how delicious her steak is.
She calls Nick to tell him that she'll be home around 8:00pm.
Christina gives him the great idea of wearing his full suit and tie when he is to propose. He always looks great in his suit! He changes and waits for Victoria to come home.
Victoria, having no clue whats awaiting her at home, extends her holiday dinner party with her colleagues.
As to be expected, Nick becomes anxious. Where's Victoria?! She's a half hour late! She's never late! He turns on the TV and watches the 49ers/Seahawks game. He rehearses his lines. He cracks a beer. Oh god, what about his breath?! He has beer breath now!
This anxiety continues until Victoria gets home.
Three hours later than initially intended, Victoria arrives home. She doesn’t notice Nick’s outfit and begins to put away all of her items she brought in, yelling at Nick throughout the house stories about her evening.
Victoria finally notices that Nick is just standing in the middle of the living room, in his suit, illuminated only by their Christmas tree. She walks over to Nick...
Victoria calls Mary Margaret, whom congratulates her and says very kind words to her (something along the lines of how proud she is and how great Nick and Victoria are as a couple).
Nick turns on the Ella Fitzgerald Pandora station, opens the bottle of wine Victoria had shipped over from Italy, and they dance in their living room for the next 20 minutes. They begin to plan how they're going to tell all their family and friends of their very joyous news.
Get directions as well as information about the venue. Check your parking options, book your hotel, and fnd out more about our registry!
Get to know the names and faces closest to Nick and Victoria! There will in fact be a quiz later, so make sure you take notes!
We've taken a few photos of ourselves over the years. While we've only added a few here, feel free to email us any other's you've taken! We'll absolutely put them up!