City of Falls Church Mayor Nader Baroukh recently announced his proposal to his longtime companion and sweetheart Bernadette Fancuberta. With Valentine’s Day, the holiday of romantic love, soon upon us, we at the News-Press asked Baroukh and his fiancée to give readers a glimpse into their story.

Nader Says…

1.) When and how did you first meet Bernadette?
We met in 1994. We were both training to be Resident Advisors at Chapman University. I remember seeing Bernadette for the first time at a Ropes Course (a team building exercise), as she was dangling from a harness 30 feet in the air and screaming at the top of her lungs.

2.) What was your first impression of Bernadette?
She was kind of loud…And very cute!

3.) When and how did you first become a couple?
New Year’s Eve at Disneyland in 1994. It was a great way to start 1995.

4.) When and how did you propose?
I proposed on Dec. 29, 2011, in Kauai overlooking the ocean at sunrise.

5.) Who was the first person you told about the engagement?
My family.

6.) When did you know Bernadette was the one?
The first time I saw her playing with my niece and nephew, who were 4 and 7 years old at the time.

7.) What pastimes do you most enjoy with Bernadette?
Being at home in our pajamas on the weekends and having breakfast together.

8.) Do you have any nicknames (or embarrassing pet names) for Bernadette?
Honeybee

9.) What makes Bernadette special?
Her compassion and caring for others.

10.) What is one of your favorite memories from your time together?
Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park in California with Bernadette. I have a video clip of it on my iPhone that I play when I have a really bad day.

11.) What is the best advice you can give for building a strong relationship?
Support one another, be patient, tell them how much you love them, and have a sense of humor.

12.) What’s the most romantic thing Bernadette has done for you?
She stood in line with me for hours to get floor tickets for Bruce Springsteen, while trying not to complain, simply because she knows how much I love Springsteen!

13.) How do you make Valentine’s Day special for Bernadette?
That’s a surprise!

14.) What wedding plans have you made thus far?
It is a work in progress…

15.) What is one thing your ideal wedding must have?
The Jewish tradition of breaking of the glass.

Bernadette Says…

1.) When and how did you first meet Nader?
I actually heard him speak on a diversity panel in college during my freshman year. I met him in person one year later at Resident Advisor Training.

2.) What was your first impression of Nader?
That he was super smart and very well spoken. When I heard him speak on the panel, I turned to my friend and said that he was the type of guy my parents would want me to marry. It took a year for us to meet in person.

3.) When and how did you first become a couple?
Spending entirely too much time together as Resident Advisors. Our first official date was New Year’s Eve, 1994 at Disneyland.

4.) What was your reaction to the proposal?
I kept asking him what he was doing as he was getting on one knee. After 17 years of being together, I was totally surprised. I did not have a clue.

5.) Who was the first person you told about the engagement?
My Mom and Dad. I am still trying to get my hearing back from my Mom screaming for joy in my ear.

6.) When did you know Nader was the one?
I knew when I met him in person a year after I heard him speak on the panel.

7.) What pastimes do you most enjoy with Nader?
Having yummy breakfast and great coffee on the weekends.

8.) Do you have any nicknames (or embarrassing pet names) for Nader?
Nader Jun, it is the Persian way of calling someone with affection, it translates to Nader, my love.

9.) What makes Nader special?
He has a very kind heart, loves unconditionally, and he is a really great friend.

10.) What is one of your favorite memories from your time together?
Our first trip to Maui together in 2003. Nader asked me to put some sunscreen on his back and I did not exactly do a very good job, so he got burnt all over his back, except for the handprints of sunscreen that I “applied” on his back.

11.) What is the best advice you can give for building a strong relationship?
Don’t take each other too serious, have lots of patience, and laugh as much as possible.

12.) What’s the most romantic thing Nader has done for you?
The wedding proposal. It was just one of the most amazing and special moments of my life.

13.) How do you make Valentine’s Day special for Nader?
Every year since 1995, I have been making him chocolate covered strawberries.

14.) What wedding plans have you made thus far?
We are considering different locations and venues.

15.) What is one thing your ideal wedding must have?
My Dad walking me down the aisle.