Importance Score: 30 / 100 🔵
Serendipitous Encounter at Toledo Pride Sparks Lasting Romance
For many, attending a festival alone in an unfamiliar city might seem intimidating. However, on August 27, 2016, during the vibrant Toledo Pride festival, Daniel Everette Nester, a recent Toledo, Ohio, transplant, bravely stepped outside his comfort zone, a decision he would soon appreciate. This marked the beginning of their love story.
Initial Meeting at Georgjz419
His evening began at Georgjz419, a local bar hosting events for the Toledo Pride festival. It was there he crossed paths with Eugene Joseph Yoscovits, who was accompanied by his friend Christopher Fitzner.
Mr. Yoscovits, residing in Detroit, noticed Mr. Nester standing alone and felt compelled to approach him.
“We exchanged glances throughout the night,” recounted Mr. Yoscovits, known as Geno. “I mentioned to Chris that I found Daniel attractive. Chris, being a supportive friend, encouraged and helped initiate a conversation between Daniel and me.” This initial interaction sparked enough mutual interest for them to exchange contact information.
Planning the First Date
Following their meeting, the pair began communicating via text messages. However, August was a particularly demanding month for Mr. Nester, who then served as the head cheerleading coach and spirit coordinator at Bowling Green State University. Consequently, their first official date was scheduled for approximately a month later.
A Memorable First Date in Detroit
On September 19, 2016, Mr. Nester journeyed to Detroit to meet Mr. Yoscovits at his residence. They proceeded to Standby, a nearby cocktail establishment, and shared a distinctive drink named Fibonacci’s Curse, presented in a large, metallic pineapple.
“Daniel playfully balanced the pineapple on his head, which made us both erupt in laughter,” Mr. Yoscovits recalled fondly. “In that moment, I realized I was falling for him.”
After enjoying cocktails, they took a leisurely walk and later visited the Whiskey Disco nightclub to dance. “Daniel is an exceptional dancer,” Mr. Yoscovits noted. “I admire his confidence and energy when he dances.”
That same evening marked their first kiss, solidifying their connection. The next day, Mr. Nester contacted Mr. Yoscovits, proposing they become a couple.
Leap of Faith and Moving In Together
Just eight months into their relationship, Mr. Nester experienced an unexpected job loss. Taking a significant step in their burgeoning romance, Mr. Nester moved into Mr. Yoscovits’s Detroit loft. “It proved to be one of the finest choices we have ever made,” Mr. Yoscovits affirmed.
Relocation to Atlanta and Career Advancement
In October 2017, Mr. Nester received a job offer from the Georgia Institute of Technology for the position of head cheerleading coach and spirit coordinator. He invited Mr. Yoscovits to join him in Atlanta.
Remote Work and a New City
At the time, Mr. Yoscovits was employed at Rocket Mortgage as a product development and regulatory affairs manager. Upon informing his manager about a potential move to Atlanta while expressing his desire to remain with the company, he was offered a promotion to director of state government and external affairs, with the flexibility to work remotely.
Subsequently, the couple relocated to an apartment in the West Midtown area of Atlanta.
An Alpine Proposal in Munich
On June 28, 2019, during a vacation in Munich, Mr. Yoscovits decided to propose marriage. The proposal followed a challenging hike up Roβstein and Buchstein in the German Alps, designed to test their resilience. Mr. Nester, exhausted and admittedly frustrated by the strenuous trek, was completely taken aback by the proposal.
“It was humorously reminiscent of Patrick and David’s engagement in Schitt’s Creek,” Mr. Nester commented, referencing a memorable episode from the popular television comedy.
Homeownership and Overcoming Adversity
On February 14, 2020, Mr. Nester and Mr. Yoscovits purchased a home in Atlanta’s Oakland City neighborhood. Tragically, their new home was destroyed just six months later by tropical storm Zeta. Neighbors heroically rescued the couple from their roof. Undeterred, they rebuilt on the same land and now reside in a newly constructed home.
Meet the Couple
Mr. Nester, 35, originally from Laurel Fork, Virginia, dedicated a significant portion of his career to cheerleading coaching. He currently serves as a program manager and senior executive assistant to the vice president at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and is currently pursuing an M.B.A. at Georgia State University.
Mr. Yoscovits, 38, who grew up in Trenton, Michigan, is a senior digital product manager at a fintech company based in Atlanta. He holds a bachelor’s degree in German studies from Wayne State University.
Intimate Wedding Ceremony in Atlanta
The couple officially married on March 23 at Westside Reservoir Park in Atlanta. Parton Waters, the drag persona of their mutual friend Gerome Stephens, officiated the ceremony. Mr. Stephens had been ordained through Universal Life Church specifically for this event. The intimate wedding was attended by just three guests: Mr. Yoscovits’s mother, Danielle Yoscovits, and Mr. Nester’s parents, Ricky and Donna Nester. A celebratory dinner followed at Il Premio at the hotel Forth Atlanta.
Looking Ahead: A Future Wedding Celebration
Mr. Nester and Mr. Yoscovits are planning a larger wedding celebration for September 20, 2026, their originally intended wedding date. “However, given the current political climate, we are concerned that marriage equality might not be assured by 2026,” Mr. Nester expressed.
Mr. Yoscovits reflected on their wedding day: “On that day, I experienced a profound and complete sense of belonging, as if I was, for the first time in my life, exactly where I was meant to be.”