Recently, I was inspired by Maria Abbe’s (Running Myself Together) engagement story and thought it was finally time to share my own engagement story…eight months after it happened. Classic.
I never really had a perfect proposal planned in my head; I had too many ideas for that! I knew I wanted it to be private and very much “us,” (though for many years I had no idea who would be doing the proposing.) I’m usually a Type B person, evident by the inconsistent posts on this blog. However, for major life events and parties, I’m a huge planner. As soon as I knew Charlie was buying the ring (another story for another time), I started to get a clearer picture in my head of an Ideal Proposal. What I got was The Backup Plan.
The Ideal took place in either New York (the city where we met) or New Orleans (where we had a trip planned the following month.)
The Backup Plan took place on a day trip to the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia.
The Ideal took place on my birthday or on said trip to New Orleans.
The Backup Plan took place on April 24th, 2021.
The Ideal included a perfect manicure, which is something I rarely have.
The Backup Plan included chipped pink nail polish from a wedding we attended the previous weekend. I remember thinking, “He’s not going to propose for another few weeks. I’ve got time to redo my nails.”
The Ideal was to meet at the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 4 p.m. after an afternoon of solo adventures around the city.
The Backup Plan included me taking the bus in the wrong direction, stopping at a Trader Joe’s for a bathroom break, and finally giving up and getting an Uber to the museum.
Charlie’s Ideal was to propose on top of the museum’s great staircase, made famous by Rocky. And yes, he did plan on yelling “Yo Adrienne, I DID IT!” after I said yes.
The Backup Plan was a massive protest at the bottom of the museum steps, because 2021. If we were more revolutionary, a proposal there would have been more romantic. As it stood, Charlie needed to get on board with The Backup Plan, quickly.
And as I discovered, the The Backup Plan was even better.
The Backup Plan included a romantic walk from the museum to our last stop of the day: the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
The Backup Plan took place in a beautiful little triangular park in front of the basilica, with a fountain flowing and flowers blooming. I’d had a secret dream of getting engaged in front of a crucifix or a statue of the Blessed Mother. I never imagined it would happen in front of a whole basilica!
The Backup Plan was turning around, seeing Charlie get down on one knee, and feeling the world stop. My first words were, “Are you serious?!” My second words were, “Yes, of course!”
The Backup Plan was a ring infinitely better than the inspiration photo I sent him months ago, with my maternal grandmother’s diamond right in the center, exactly how I always wanted.
The Backup Plan was another couple sitting on a bench nearby, who quickly realized what was happening and started taking pictures, then came up to us and offered to take a few more. Tiffany and Kyle, if you happen to find this blog, we will always be grateful to you.
The Backup Plan was excitedly calling both sets of parents to give them the news, and then finding out that Charlie had asked my parents for their blessing only two weeks before.
The Backup Plan was a blissful train ride home to New York, and Charlie’s spontaneous idea to take me to dinner. It was getting late, and he scrolled through many restaurants that were already closed or booked up. He finally found one that was available, but he wouldn’t tell me anything until we got there.
The Backup Plan was a delicious steak dinner at Buenos Aires Restaurant. “I knew you liked this place,” Charlie said, “But I couldn’t remember why.” Here’s why: Since 2015, two of my close girlfriends and I had prayed several 54-day Rosary novenas for our future husbands. After we completed each novena, we would celebrate at Buenos Aires. It was the confirmation I needed that Jesus and Our Lady had heard my prayers, and that this was their will for my life.
Our Backup Plan was really God’s Ideal for us, and it turned out more special and more romantic than I could have ever imagined. If things don't go exactly as you imagine, let yourself be surprised by your backup plans; I promise you won’t regret it.
P.S. Check out more photos in the slideshow below!
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