It happened spontaneously and the “old fashioned” way…at the bar! Delaney was out with friends celebrating her birthday two days early. She was sitting at the corner of the bar when Erik approached, initially just for another round. He noticed Delaney, struck up a conversation, and offered to buy her a drink. They spent the rest of the evening talking before exchanging numbers at closing time. Their first date was a few weeks later, where an elderly couple dining one table over surprised them with a gifted champagne toast “To the future wedding!” after sensing that it was just the first of many dates for Delaney and Erik. Well…that elderly couple was right.

After the addition of their puppy, Theo, Delaney and Erik took him for a walk around Appleford Estate’s public grounds and gardens. In awe of its beauty, Delaney mentioned she wanted family photos taken (now that there were three) to display around their first apartment together. Erik, noticing all the small details, then spent his spring and summer crafting Delaney’s dream proposal. He secretly worked with her family jeweler to create a custom ring, asked her parents and siblings for her hand, booked a photographer, and reserved Appleford Estate for family photos. He got down on one knee in the estate’s boxwood garden on a crisp fall morning with Theo by their side, and surprised Delaney with their families for a champagne toast (just like how it all started). She said yes, of course!