Our Story — Nick & Brett

y the time they met in 2022, Brett had just moved to New York City a few months prior, making the leap from a post-college covid stay at home in Plainview, Long Island. He just started his job at Lennox Hill Hospital on the Upper East Side as a CTICU Nurse, recovering patients from heart surgeries. True to character, Brett’s remarkable, and unshakable self-confidence brought him out on a quest to meet new friends at his nearest gay bar, Icon. He didn’t know it then, but there was one more heart to mend that would take a bit longer than his usual patient’s stay.

Nick was in the thick of the most tumultuous time of his life to date (and hopefully ever) recovering from the end of a long-term relationship only a few months prior. He was figuring out how to navigate this new world, both alone and with the help of his friends. Suddenly things like going to a birthday party or meeting friends at a bar seemed quite scary, and required more self determination and discomfort. But, eager to prove himself wrong, there he was in a new neighborhood, at a new bar, surrounded by new people he didn’t know very well.

“How do you just go to a bar by yourself though? I don’t think I could do it.”

Sitting down next to this guy felt like jumping into a cold plunge. Nick held his breath and went full-body into it. “Hey, how are you? What are you drinking? What brings you out tonight? Who are you here with?” etc… the usual first conversation went unremarkably, until he learned Brett was there alone to meet new friends, hence his approachability. In awe of the courage, Nick pressed for tips, asking how one goes to a bar alone. “Just smile, groove to the music, and have fun watching people. Someone will usually come up to you, like you just did.”

The night descended into a blur, leading from the bench to dance floor, where Brett gave his biggest show of silly dance moves. “Just dance like no one’s watching” yelled Brett over the speakers. “But they are.” yelled Nick back, nodding at his friends noticing that-freshly-single-Nick had hooked a guy for the night.

One thing led to another, as it so often does. In this case, it led Nick and Brett to the bar around the corner after Nick’s protective friend, Terence, gave Brett the stern “Be nice to him or I will find you” type of a talking to. The night concluded, the two paid their bar tab, and eventually Nick returned home to Brooklyn.

“I think I just bought you that Thai food. You owe me a drink.”

The next morning, Nick woke to a transaction alert, $26 spent on Thai food takeout – an Astoria spot. Knowing it wasn’t his order, he searched for his Chase Freedom credit card and found it safely in his wallet. Except, a second closer look showed the name “Brett H. Pinsky.” They had the same card, and unknowingly swapped it while closing out the night before.

Brett got the text “How’s the Thai food?” Nick let him wonder whether hes a stalker or not for just a moment before following up with a photo of Brett’s Freedom card. “I think I just bought you that Thai food. You owe me a drink.” And so Nick and Brett had to get that drink on account of returning their cards to the rightful owners, but they also started a friendship that would lead seeing each other at least weekly for almost ~10 months, until they caved in and finally made it official.

ick and Brett continued to see each other just about once every week, texting daily, and becoming best friends. Nick, a long time New York resident but new to the gay scene, and Brett, new to city but always willing to say “yes, and,” were a perfect duo to go explore and capture new experiences. Broadway shows, nightclubs, pride parties, concerts, weekend trips to Fire Island, museum visits, and picnics at Astoria park, the two found ways to see each other every week. Even when Nick took his 6 month eat, pray, love hiatus at a lakeside cabin upstate and a ranch in Texas, they were always connected. Despite the distance, they grew closer than ever by traveling to see each other, scheduling facetime cooking dates, and playing games online together.

3 or 4 months in, Brett had already caught on to what was happening. “Nick” was a common plot point to the people who knew Brett well. “Guard your heart, Brett” they would say, “Are you sure he’s emotionally available for a relationship?” He told his mom, Gayle, “Either we’re going to be together, or he’s going to be a best friend. Even if I get my heart broken, it will mean I cared about someone enough to break my heart.”

Nick came around a little later. Fighting to reclaim independence, and rediscover himself through singledom had pushed off any feelings of love. It wasn’t until August, when they were sitting together at Astoria park, did it hit him. And it hit him over the head, hard.

“Even if I get my heart broken, it will mean I cared about someone enough to break my heart.”

The two were falling in love and spending time under guise of a relationship that wasn’t there yet. This unspoken relationship took the next form in September that year. Nick invited Brett to join him on yet another new experience, this time a camping trip in the Poconos. After making friends with nearby campers, someone asked “are you two together?” At the same time, Brett said “No.” and Nick said “Yes.” Brett, answering literally, and Nick answering hopefully, looked at each other and realized the conversation needed to happen.

While on a little hike, Nick shared where his heart was, “If I’m going to explore being in a relationship again, I would want to explore it with you.” For Nick, it was a terrifying leap of faith, but Brett had been secretly waiting to hear those words for the last few months. So, he readily accepted. It was an easy decision. They officially coined their relationship out in the woods in the Poconos on September 25, 2022, ~9 months after meeting.

“If I’m going to explore being in a relationship again, I would want to explore it with you.”

The months continued along through new milestones. Their first ‘I love yous’ (at P&G’s, New Paltz), first trip together to (Oaxaca, Mexico), their first purchase together (a tent), moving in together to Nick’s new apartment in Astoria, etc. They spent birthdays, family trips to Cape May and Austin, and holidays together, but between those big memories, they formed a beautiful life together. Learning how to live together, cook together, workout together, mesh friendship circles, and navigate life’s unexpected curveballs and hurdles. Through every experience, they found new ways to appreciate each other.

Nick proposed to Brett on May 5th, 2025, and Brett proposed right back with his own planned proposal coincidentally 2 days later on May 7th, both with custom designed green sapphire and gold rings. Together with their families and friends, they are planning a wedding to show their love for one another, and to show their appreciation for everyone who contributed to their story.

Photos by Deirdre Alston · Instagram

Rings by Kris Averi · Instagram