While Chris and Emily both knew they wanted to get married, something was holding Chris back - Emily had no idea what she wanted for a ring. Once she started thinking she might want something vintage, Chris knew they wouldn't find what they wanted in LA. When Chris had a break before starting his new job, he told Emily they were going to Paris and booked the tickets. Two weeks later, they were scouring the city for the best vintage jewelry. Fueled by pain au chocolates, cafe au laits, and some lingering high school French, they found all of the top recommended shops. Finally, they found a vintage store tucked away and looked through their collection of emerald rings. And they found the one - a 1930's toi et moi emerald and diamond beauty. With the two stones being a classic French style representing "you and me", they knew it was meant to be.

Even though Emily knew Chris had the ring, the proposal came as a shock. Chris enlisted the help of friends to pitch a weekend trip to Ojai in June. Always down for a stay-cation, Emily didn't think much of it, even after her sister said "Every time Chris says you should do something, do you think he's going to propose?" In hindsight, she should have seen a few clues: first, Chris was NEVER this worried about being on time. Ten minutes before they were supposed to leave, Chris was panicking that Emily wasn't fully packed and started rushing her out the door. Second, Chris was just a bit antsy in the car... he got on the freeway going the opposite direction of Ojai, and couldn't use his navigation on his car because he had unplugged his phone and given Emily control of aux. (After the proposal, he explained that he couldn't have his phone plugged in because Emily couldn't see any potential spoiler texts come through). Regardless, Emily brushed all of this off as Chris being eager to get to their weekend getaway. Their friends kept up the ruse perfectly and pretended to be running behind schedule, giving Chris the excuse to stop at Bart's Books. Emily needed no convincing to make a stop at a bookstore and agreed, not noticing that Chris had never looked so nervous to browse. While Emily immediately wandered off, Chris got to work and put the ring into a keepsake book that he made for Emily their first Christmas together. He nestled the book onto a shelf in the travel section, pulled Emily away from her browsing, dragged her back to the travel section, and told her to look at the shelf. When she noticed the book and pulled it down, she turned around to find Chris on one knee. Both parties might have blacked out what was said and happened next - the important part is, she said yes.