Emily and Ian’s story began on the dating app Bumble, where they quickly discovered they had a lot in common. Both had recently worked at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show—Emily as a fashion design student helping the models backstage, and Ian covering the event for ABC News. They also noticed another fun coincidence: Ian had just been in Chicago, near Emily’s hometown! With the holidays approaching, they decided to meet at the Bryant Park Christmas Market. Emily found Ian by the fountain, and from the moment they said hello, they realized how effortlessly they connected. Their first date turned into a Hallmark movie come to life, with stops at the Christmas market, the Rockefeller Center tree, and the Macy’s window displays. Along the way, they shared nachos at a cozy Mexican restaurant and kept the date going, eventually seeing a movie together. After exploring the magic of NYC at Christmastime, Emily and Ian had already formed an unshakable bond. From that day forward, they’ve been inseparable and each other’s best friend.

When Emily's family began planning a trip to Cullercoats, England—her mom’s hometown and a place where Emily had spent many cherished summers visiting her grandparents—Ian knew it was the perfect place to propose. The seaside town held so much meaning for Emily, and Ian wanted to make their engagement unforgettable. The trip turned into a European summer adventure, with stops planned in Edinburgh, Paris, Positano, and Rome. Little did Emily know that it would also become their engagement-moon! The special day began with a family brunch at a beachside restaurant offering breathtaking views of the North Sea. Afterward, the family headed down to the beach for what Emily thought was a casual family photo session. One by one, her siblings took turns posing for pictures. When it was Emily and Ian’s turn, Ian turned to her, got down on one knee, and asked her to marry him! Overwhelmed with joy, Emily said "YES!" and spun around to share the news with her family, exclaiming, "I said yes!" Her family erupted in cheers, making the moment even more magical. In the background stood the church where Emily’s parents had been married—a meaningful touch that made the moment all the more special. That evening, the whole family came together for a celebratory engagement dinner, marking the start of Emily and Ian’s next big adventure.