The Proposal

I’ve heard many proposal stories during and before my career as a Wedding Consultant.  By asking the groom “how did you propose”  it gives me a couple of ideas: 1. How much of an input the groom may have in the planning process and 2. It helps me to tell “his” side of their love story and incorporate it when thinking of how to personalize  their Wedding Day! I wanted to share this “Proposal” with all of you with the hopes of knowing that Grooms are just as much apart of the Wedding Day as the Brides, sorry ladies for some of you without that “Proposal” there would be no Wedding Day...lol!!!!

Please read it and enjoy and don’t forget your kleenex:

“After spending a little less than two years together, I realized that Dava was the woman with whom I wanted to spend the rest of my life. But I didn't want to merely get down on one knee and profess my eternal love. I wanted to do something that would be as special as she is to me; something magical!

I had spent the summer abroad teaching English and she was very supportive of me as I achieved one of my greatest childhood dreams. A woman as unique as Dava, deserved to be put on a pedastle, but the questioned still remained...How?

After returning to the states, I began the search for a ring that would be suitable for a queen. With help from some very dear friends (you know who you are), I had finally found the perfect ring!

After months of deliberation, the opportunity to travel to Paris presented itself. I thought, "Paris in the Spring, what setting is more romantic than that?" At first, Dava seemed reluctant to take the trip, but that was just her response to an adventure which she appeared to believe was far-fetched. Fortunately, she came around.

After planning every detail of our six night stay in Paris, Dava was ready to go! We flew out of Laguardia on April 22nd, 2009. All was going as planned, until our arrival at Charles DeGaulle Airport. Air France lost my bag!!! No, the ring was not in the bag. I ain't crazy!

I figured I'd make the best of the trip. Besides, this was to be a trip fit for my queen. We had figured that we would be tired after a long flight, so we didn't plan any activities for our first day in Paris. Neither of us were tired, so we figured we would just go for a walk towards the Champs Elysees.

We had not planned to visit any museums, but we found ourselves approaching the Arc de Trimphe. It was rapidly approaching sunset and I thought it would be great to watch the sun set from atop the Arc. Dava and I paid the admission price and ventured upward! Much to my chagrin, the stairs were endless and steep. I was about to fall out, but I thought this would be a great opportunity to pop the question.

I mustered up the strength and trudged onward. Just as we reached the summit, the sun was lying on the cusp of the horizon. There were many more people up there than I had expected. I was sweating from the climb up and although the scenery was breathtaking, I had lost my nerve. I figured that with five more days in Paris, I was sure to find another special moment.

The following day, my luggage still had yet to arrive, but I was determined to make the best of our trip. We had planned a boat ride on the River Seine. I figured this would provide me with the opportunity to see Paris from the perspective of the most romantic river on Earth. We perched ourselves on the bow of the boat. The boat progressed along the river, until I saw the perfect location for my proposal; Place de Concorde.

It was an island at the center of a traffic circle at the base of the Champs Elysees...Perfect! Now, the question remained, how do I get her there (free of suspicion)?

The following day, Dava scheduled a rigorous day of sightseeing at many of Paris' historic sites and Museums. At this point, my feet were blistering, and I was tired of walking, but I had to find a way to Place de Concorde. I had a renewed sense of purpose, for my luggage had arrived at the hotel.

We toured Notre Dame, the catacombs, and the Museo d'Orsay and I had had enough culture to last a lifetime! Fortunately, the Place de Concorde was within a manageable walking distance from the museum. Without completely giving away our destination, I suggested we take a stroll along the banks of the Seine. Five minutes and 20 or so photographs later, we had arrived at Place de Concorde.

I had not planned anything in particular, so I was trying to be as creative as possible. Located at the Place de Concorde are two large gold and black decorative fountains with a large Egyptian obelisk situated between them. I scanned the area and realized that the far fountain had not drawn the crowd that the first one had. We slowly made our way over, while taking pictures of every detail.

I had finally found my moment. After asking Dava for some change, I told her that we both had to make a wish and throw a coin into the fountain. I turned my back to the fountain, closed my eyes, wished for "the obvious," and plucked my coin over my shoulder into the fountain. Now it was her turn! When she closed her eyes to make her wish, I dropped to one knee and presented the box (unopened). She opened her eyes and looked down at me and said in a concerned tone, "What are you doing, get up!" Then she realized the box in my hand. Her smile and giddiness were evidence of her approval. She jumped up and down saying, "Yes, yes, Yes!!!" I said, "Wait, I didn't say anything yet." Then I asked her, "Would you do me the honor of allowing me to be your husband for the rest of our lives?"