Ever since Joe and Ali met, Joe has always wanted to take Ali on a weekend trip to Washington, DC to show her around his ol’ stomping grounds (and to show her the cherry blossoms – or at least that’s the excuse he used to get her up there). Finally, in April, they arrived in the national’s capital for a chilly, early spring weekend. Joe had it all planned out – lined up the photographer and prepared the rooftop restaurant for the post-proposal celebration. The weekend was jammed pack with meeting up with friends, scootering/biking around the mall, brunching, but when the big moment arrived – Joe knew it was game time. Joe had a dinner planned, but told Ali we had to stop by the Lincoln Memorial before dinner to catch what Joe referred to as “the best spot in DC to see the sun set”. Little did Ali know, when Joe lived in DC and would see proposals take place at that location at that time of day, he’d always dreamed of coming back to do the same – he just hadn’t met Ali yet. As Ali and Joe left their hotel, Joe shared his location with the photographer so they’d perfectly time out his capturing the moment. As Joe and Ali approached the Lincoln Memorial (and climbed the stairs) Joe made eye contact with the photographer and went to go for it….until he realized someone was taking graduation pictures in his place! He had to stall, so he starting rambling about Abraham Lincoln until his was spot was available. As soon as the graduates left, Joe ended his story about ol’ honest Abe and said “let me show you the best spot”. Joe walked Ali to the corner and grabbed her shoulders to move her “right about here” (Joe lining up the spot with the photographer). Joe got down on his knee and prepared to breathe the speech that had been running through his head for weeks……until he blanks. Joe forgot his speech! But he prevailed, and let the ring do most of the talking. Finally, after asking Ali to “be the mother of their children” Ali said “yes!” and the tourists cheered!