I Do!: Brittany Kaliscik and Nate Baez, of Bay Shore

It was 2012 when Brittany Kaliscik and Nate Baez crossed paths outside their adjacent offices in Glendale, Queens, engaging in small talk and casual banter.

“Nate was warm and welcoming,” said Kaliscik, 34, a senior program manager in health care operations.

Baez has similar fond memories.

“Britt was super sweet and down-to-earth ... a little sunshine,” said Baez, 40, a pharmacy technician.

Soon the workplace connection blossomed into a friendship, and then romance. Their first date was a casual meetup for coffee capped by a “corny” horror flick, during which they talked and laughed, Kaliscik said.

During their 13-year courtship, the couple said they’ve weathered several storms, leaning on each other for support after the death of Kaliscik’s mother and as Baez took on the role of caregiver for his ailing father.

Baez said he initially planned to propose during the couple’s trip to the singer-songwriter Taylor Swift’s July concert in Amsterdam. But at the last minute, he changed his mind, fearing one of Kaliscik colleagues might ruin the surprise. Instead, he plotted to pop the question June 29 during a family barbecue two days before their flight.

Once Baez received Kaliscik’s father’s blessing to wed his daughter, he said he confided in her uncle, the host of the get-together, that he would propose marriage while the family was gathered for a group photo. Immediately after Baez snapped the picture of the group, he got down on one knee and asked for Kaliscik’s hand in marriage. As family members wiped away tears, Kaliscik said, “yes,” to loud applause.

The couple wed on Jan. 11 at Saint Isidore Roman Catholic Church in Riverhead, and 100 guests attended their reception, coming from as far away as Missouri and Florida.

Nominate a couple who has gotten married in the past 12 months. Email your love story, in 250 words or less, to lilife@newsday.com, subject line I Do!