Hitch(ed), please!
The Proposal
The Plan
If Ben owned a physical calendar, 9/18/2021 would have been circled for months. Everything was set for the day he'd propose to Claire. He'd cleverly blocked off the day for the two of them under the pretense that they’d be attending a party hosted by their friends Zach and Lauren. The venue was set, the photographer was at the ready, and the ring was burning a hole in his pocket - all he had to do now was play it cool (to know Ben is to know that this is an impossible task). Little did Ben know that the date had been circled on Claire's calendar for just as long - if not longer. Not only had our detective sniffed out his ruse, she also knew the date it was all going down. She even knew the day that Ben got the ring -Ben came home with Chi'lantro kimchi fries and an iced mojo from Epoch Coffee, both of which neighbor the ring shop they visited together. Ben pausing "The Great British Bakeoff" every 5 minutes to remind Claire how much he loved her was also was a bit of a tell.
Morning of Proposal
The day had arrived. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and Ben was a nervous wreck. He began an anxiety-fueled cleaning spree of the whole house. While Ben toiled away, Claire was left to start second guessing everything. She was so certain she had him figured out..... or had she? All was shortly revealed, and her suspicions confirmed. While discussing attire for the "party", Ben brought out a surprise gift - a white dress patterned with strawberries that he had seen Claire pining for online. The floodgates opened, and Claire began to cry, which in turn caused Ben to cry. Claire knew the proposal was imminent. Somehow, despite the ugly cry fest, Ben still did not catch on. "Man, she really likes this dress," Ben thought to himself. "She'll look so stunning, and how lucky am I that she happened to get a haircut and her nails done this week too!" When they finally pulled themselves together, it was time to head to the "party".
Proposal at Sekrit Theater
The drive to Sekrit Theater was quiet; both Claire and Ben were internally screaming, but had to continue the charade. Pulling up to an empty street, they were met with further silence where the sound of a party should be. "We must be the first ones here," Ben tried, despite that the "party" was slated to start an hour earlier. He took her hand and led her through the eclectic courtyard to an aged greenhouse, draped with ivy (okay go off King Ben with this depiction!) As they crossed the threshold into the greenhouse, decorated with candles and roses, Elvis's "Can't Help Falling in Love" quietly swelled around them. Ben kneeled, producing the ring and words he'd thankfully written to guide him when his brain inevitably shut down while proposing, words that would only be shared between them. Tears, a kiss, a soft and loving acceptance, and a ring placed on Claire's finger - they were engaged. They took a moment to themselves and popped champagne before taking surprise engagement photos.
Cocktail Break
Basking in the first hours of their engagement, Ben and Claire headed to a local favorite Whisler's to kill some time before dinner. While they shared a celebratory cocktail at the mezcal bar, admiring the new bling and updating friends and family of their new status, some familiar faces were sharing a celebratory cocktail as well across town. It was the one of the only surprises that Ben managed to pull on Claire - he had arranged for both of their families to have drinks at the Roosevelt Room, where they mingled and met.
Dinner with Family
Claire and Ben were met with cheers and applause on entering Jeffrey's. Not by all the patrons (although it would have been appropriate), but by their gathered family, who showered them with hugs and kisses, laughter and tears. They recounted the events of the day over a hearty steak dinner and were gifted with official guides to wedding planning, hundred-page binders that hinted at the logistical trials that are planning a wedding.
One Last Surprise
Claire and Ben returned home a little tipsy, a little exhausted, but most of all, a lot happy. They made sure to update Fish and Chips, who mostly slept through the exchange (and to this day may still not know), before heading to bed. While Claire began her 11 step skincare routine, Ben found a small box and note left out for him. It was from Claire - a love letter confirming that she had known about the upcoming proposal and couldn't be happier. It was even cheekily dated to drive home the point, a sweet point that the reason she knew all along was because she knew Ben so well. In the box was a gold-faced watch with black leather straps to match the gold of Claire's ring, and for Ben to wear as a reminder of the happiest day of his life (at least until 3/25/2023).