The summer of August 2020 held an air of possibility, and fate decided to play its hand in Highland Park—a charming neighborhood where Ned and Federica's love story was destined to unfold. It was a warm Friday night, the dimly lit coffee shop was alive with chatter, laughter, and the gentle clinking of glasses. The air was filled with an electric energy, as if it knew that something magical was about to happen… In this vibrant setting, Ned found himself seated at the table closest to the window ... his eyes started wandering around the room, taking in the diverse crowd of patrons. That's when he noticed her — the eyes that belonged to his future fiancé. With a friendly smile, he struck up a conversation with her. The topics flowed effortlessly, transitioning from the usual small talk to deeper discussions about shared interests, dreams, and the quirks that made each of them unique. With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, Ned leaned in and suggested, "Why don't we continue this amazing conversation over dinner? There's a cozy restaurant just around the corner." The short walk to the restaurant was filled with easy laughter and the excitement of the unknown. The restaurant's warm ambiance provided the perfect backdrop for the next chapter of their evening. As the hours passed, Ned and Federica shared stories, exchanged anecdotes, and discovered more about each other's lives. As the evening wore on, the connection between the two deepened. The initial strangers at the coffee shop had now found undeniable affinity for each other. The laughter came easily, punctuating the conversations with a sense of familiarity that usually takes months or years to develop. It was as if the universe had conspired to bring Ned and Federica together on that particular night—a night that started with a chance encounter at a coffee shop and blossomed into something extraordinary, which developed beyond the instant connection they both felt—a connection that would lay the foundation for their beautiful journey that they will experience for the rest of their lives.

Once upon a time, during the enchanting month of December, Ned and Federica had an afternoon reservation for the Holiday Tea Time at The Langham Hotel. The event was a delightful tradition they cherished together each winter and held a special place in their hearts, as it was one of the first date’s where Federica was first introduced to Ned’s mother. As the two strolled through the bustling city streets, bundled up in warm coats and scarves to ward off the winter chill, Federica could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air for their annual holiday date; however, she had no idea of the momentous surprise planned for her. As the two entered the grand lobby of the hotel, adorned with twinkling holiday decorations, the scent of freshly baked scones and fragrant teas wafted through the air, embracing them in its comforting warmth. The waitress welcomed them with a gracious smile, secretly aware that today was no ordinary tea time, as she seated the couple in a cozy corner of the elegant dining room. The ambiance was perfect, and Ned could not contain his excitement as he knew this was the night he planned to take the next step in their journey together. As Federica and Ned enjoyed their delicious scones, sipped tea, and listened to the holiday melodies, the evening progressed as any other perfect date for the happy couple. Near the end, Ned quietly excused himself to the “restroom” where instead, he secretly went to prepare for his proposal in a private area of the hotel. After an extended period of time and after wondering where Ned had disappeared, the waitress came to the table and offered to help Federica find her “missing boyfriend”, who was nowhere to be found. A visibly confused Federica was then quietly escorted to a different area of the hotel where she was told Ned was waiting for her behind the closed doors of the private room. Upon entering, Federica was instantly greeted by the sweet fragrance of peonies and roses that filled the air, and the sounds of a photographer who was in the midst of capturing her complete surprise as the proposal event began to unfold. As her eyes adjusted to the larger room, Federica saw the entire space had been adorned with an enchanting array of red balloons… their glossy surfaces reflecting the soft, romantic lighting. The smell of fresh flowers and the lake view in the background together created a magical ambiance, further adding to the enchanting atmosphere. The white peonies and deep red roses were meticulously arranged in elegant vases that created a pathway as she walked towards Ned….. for Federica, it was a scene straight out of a fairy tale. As Federica approached Ned, her heart raced with curiosity and excitement as it still had not yet dawned on her what was happening. In the center of the space, a small table was set, covered with crisp white linen and adorned with flickering candles that cast a warm, romantic glow. Atop the table was a small box, exquisitely wrapped, and beside it, a vase with pink and white peonies, Federica’s favorite flower. As Federica approached the table, Ned was smiling and nervous, yet looking dashing in a suit that complemented the romantic setting perfectly. His eyes sparkled with affection and anticipation. He took Federica's hand, and with a tender smile, picked up the small brown box from the table, gently opening it to reveal the most magnificent ring Federica had ever seen. The ring glimmered in the candlelight, a symbol of love and commitment.

Ned’s voice was filled with emotion as he spoke from his heart, recounting to Federica the beautiful journey the two had shared together and the dreams they had built as a couple. With tears of joy in her eyes, Federica listened as Ned finally uttered those magical words, "Will you marry me?" Overwhelmed with love and happiness, Federica nodded, crying from happiness as Ned gently slipped the stunning ring onto her finger. A few seconds later, Federica was surprised even further by the unexpected entrance of both their two families as they burst into the room with applause and gifts, further celebrating the union of their love. In that moment, surrounded by red balloons, white peonies, red roses, lots of champagne, and their loving family - the couple celebrated a future filled with love, laughter, and endless happiness, and that was a day neither of them would ever forget. From that December day forward, every visit to The Langham would hold even more significance, as it would forever be the place where Ned proposed to Federica - the love of his life, marking the beginning of their lifelong journey together.