Let's get hitched!

The planning for this was originally going to be on the Brooklyn Bridge, right before our good friends' wedding in December of 2020. Unfortunately, COVID-19 conveniently ruined everything. When November of 2021 came, the plan was simple. Gather all our family and friends, get all of our favorite foods, design the perfect engagement ring (making sure it was sustainably sourced), and the last bit? Make sure she never finds out. Easy, right? SIKE. I had worked with Chloe (her sister) and Mama Tracy (her mom) for what seemed like a long 2 months in order to get everything right. Avoiding the surprise being leaked though? That was the tough part. However, it went just as planned. For the most part. The day after Christmas, the backyard (that was set up to look like a winter wonderland) was seemingly broken down, the house was in a daze from all of the festivities of Christmas, and everything felt like nothing was happening. The house that she was in would soon be the same house where she’d be a fiance by the end of the night. I would have a future wife! What were equal parts funny and frustrating was that Leanna took SO long to get ready for her planned girls' day. Finally, by 11:30 am, she was out the door. Everyone was gathering around 1 pm. In between those hours, the house was frantic with transformation. Food, decor, film crew, and the stage were set. Under Leanna’s impression, it was a family poker night. GOT EM! My soon-to-be bride entered through the side door, walked through all of our favorite people, passed a laptop with friends zooming in, and her cousin Chris and Tiffany from Arizona were at the end of that line. I, her prince charming (hopefully), awaited nervous AF. In truth, I had no idea what I was going to say other than that I will promise to love, protect, and take care of her forever. I got on one knee, popped the question, and what took under two years to do (in all of its beauty and chaos) happened. We got engaged!