NJ Babies Who Shared Hospital Nursery Become Viral Love Story

BEACHWOOD, NJ — The love story of a Beachwood couple has resonated with millions across the world after their TikTok video went viral.

In response to a TikTok “stitch” asking for “craziest coincidence" stories, Courtney Mahnken said her relationship features a series of coincidences that go back to the day she was born.

"When I was 14 years old, I got my first boyfriend. It was the first time my mom was meeting one of my boyfriends' moms," said Mahnken in the TikTok video. “The first thing she says to his mom is, 'Oh my god, you look so familiar. Where did you give birth?’ Immediately I’m embarrassed.”

The two mothers realized that they gave birth next to each other at the same hospital where their children were born less than one day apart.

Mahnken and Nick Monguso were placed side by side in the hospital’s nursery.

Twelve years after these coincidences came to light, Mahnken and Monguso are engaged.

Since Mahnken first posted the TikTok video on Feb. 18, it has been shared over 17,000 times and received 2.3 million likes as of Friday.

“I was sitting in my home office last Friday night when Courtney called me bursting with enthusiasm,” her father, Scott, told Patch. “‘Dad, I can’t believe it, the video I just posted on TikTok has 800,000 views.’”

The couple briefly dated while they attended Central Regional High School in Bayville.

They stayed friends, and both went on to Rowan University. Throughout most of college, the two remained broken up.

“By senior year, the two soulmates agreed to rekindle their relationship, sensing they were always meant to be together,” Scott recalled.

In December, Monguso surprised Mahnken with a marriage proposal outside the school where she works as a fourth grade teacher. The couple are now planning a wedding for June 2022.

After support and admiration poured in from viewers, Mahnken produced several follow-up videos, including a timeline with high school photos, Monguso's proposal and a casual video of the couple playing a game.

“When you read the thousands and thousands of comments, there are several consistent themes,” Scott said. “Some say they cried upon watching the video, some call it amazing, but the vast majority say, 'This is a Disney or Hallmark movie.'"

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