Witness the Magic!

P: We got engaged at Universal Studios in Florida on the bridge in front of the Hogwarts Castle at Harry Potter World. V: I always knew I'd propose to Pallas. If she could put up with me that is. I suppose she had put up with me long enough. She always said Universal Studios is her happy place, so when we decided to vacation there I figured I may as well make it my happy place too. Before our trip I took her sister Julia aside and told her I'd be poping the question to Pallas at the end of the vacation. A week filled with the hustle and fright of air travel, high velocity roller coasters, fire-breathing dragons, and native Floridians is nothing compared with the nervousness of that week. I kept thinking I'd get searched at security, or she would have to grab something out of my luggage, or her sister would blab over a half glass of wine- something would let the cat out the bag you know? Fortunately, I made it through to the last day without Pallas ever clueing in to the plan. P: I suspected something was going to happen because it was the last day our trip and everyone was acting a little strange. My sister, Julia, was extra giggles when she asked where we wanted to take our “last picture” in Universal. It was a very, very busy day in the park and the crowds were thick with people. The late April Florida sun was bearing down in the afternoon as we walked. V: We had decided to wake up extra early to catch the last few rides one more time. I gave Julia the ring box to sneak in and recovered it after checkpoint. We stood in line to ride Hagrid's. My hands started trembling about half an hour in. I began texting all my friends telling them what was about to happen and getting boosts of encouragement. We finished the ride and I was almost ready, just needed to get a magical aid and pick a place. P: I finally chose the bridge so we could get the castle in the background of our picture. There were people sitting on both sides of the bridge and huge groups of people passing us as we had my sister take our picture. Vincent was shaking. He turned towards the castle and took out his magic wand souvenir that he bought in the park just an hour prior. V: I slipped the ring onto my wand and held it hidden in my hand. I turned to her, heart in my throat .. P: My heart was beating rapidly and my ears were deafening as I realized what was occurring. He told me to repeat after him. V: I told her that this was now the end of our vacation adventure by that we still have the rest of our lives for more. I took the wand, asked she hold out her hand and join me in a spell. Amor Aeternus. Love eternal. P: I fumbled the “spell” at first. Hardly able to speak or think in the moment. The ring came sliding down the wand into my hand after we repeated the spell the third time. He tried to get down on one knee, but there were too many people, so I told him to stay standing. He spoke in barely a whisper as he shook and kissed out the words. I had to have him repeat himself, as it was all so surreal, my thoughts consumed me and I missed it the first time. The rest of the evening I floated on clouds, vibrating with excitement, consumed by happiness. He is mine and I am his and soon we will be one. V: You bet your ass.