Meet the cutest, quirkiest couple! They met at a friend’s birthday party, where Nikki Machacek was taking photos and Chris Dunaway was playing in the band. While photographing the band Nikki noticed Chris. She thought he had a cute smile and was wearing braces, which she loved. They talked throughout the night and discovered they had a lot in common, but their fate was sealed when she put a cartoon aardvark “Arthur” plate on her face and Chris thought it was hilarious! Even though they were both dating other people, they felt a connection and soon after began to date. Their first date was an outing to the movie Slumdog Millionaire, and since they both have a passion for indie movies, it was followed by many more movie date nights.

They found a great place in the Heights and moved in together, not knowing that it was owned by her grandmother’s arch enemy! Even with an antagonistic landlord, they managed to “become adults together,” Nikki says with a sweet smile. They adopted a kitty named Slinky, and then another baby kitty named Pumpkin. Nikki convinced Chris to quit smoking and become a vegetarian, and Chris taught Nikki how to parallel park. Even though they have broken up and gotten back together, the love and support they have for each other has brought them back together and made them even stronger. (Of course it may also be a shared passion for music and comic books!)

Nikki and Chris eventually moved into a larger house with two other roommates, and Chris finding himself the only guy in a house full of women. The move allowed them to escape their landlord and gain the space to explore their talents. Nikki is an aspiring artist and Chris plays bass guitar in several popular bands. When they aren’t at work or practicing, you might find them at home, making dinner together. They love to make YUMMY! dinners side by side, as neither wants to cook an entire meal.

Because Nikki and Chris are from small Texas towns, Dickinson and Santa Fe, respectively, they have a deep compassion for a simple, shared life. Nikki declares they are engaged to be married and that they may want to adopt children someday. “First, we’ll probably start with a dog, and then maybe a monkey,” she says with a luminous laugh.

Their love of all things brings them to Phoenicia, where they enjoy many epicurean delights. When pressed for a favorite item, carb love wins out. They can’t live without a MKT BAR pizza.

Come to MKT BAR this Valentine’s and like Nikki and Chris, celebrate all that is love, friendship and pizza!