They met at Spike’s in 2010 — Nicky was bartending and Matthew came in to drop off posters for Lost Highway’s upcoming show. She remembers thinking he was really cute, even though she had sworn she would never date someone in a band. About a week later Matthew messaged and asked her out; Mike and his wife Michelle gave her a nudge — “You should go out with him, he is a great guy” — so she said yes. He borrowed Jesse’s Shelby Mustang to look “cool” and they went to the VERY classy Applebee’s in Lakeville. He won her over, and the next two years were full of concerts, motorcycle rides, and quiet nights together. When he wasn’t playing, Matthew would come into Spike’s and wait for her shift to end; if she wasn’t working she’d go to his shows. In early 2012 Nicky found out she was pregnant — she was nervous, but Matthew calmed her and they started making plans. She moved in with him with her two cats, and in November 2012 their daughter Karyssa arrived a little early. Karyssa was tiny in Matthew’s hands; he was the proudest dad. After more years of building their life together, Matthew proposed on February 7, 2025. It was worth the wait — they can’t wait to celebrate with family and friends on September 26, 2026 in Owatonna, Minnesota.