It's All in the Asking

• Published 2004

Margaux Baran and Michele Caniato
September 2004
The setting: After spending Christmas with his family in Milan, they drove to Portofino, where he spent summers as a child. There, he walked her up a hill to a small church, where they sat on a bench and watched the sunset together. He asked her if she loved him—if she really, really loved him. She told him of course she did. With that, he got down on one knee and presented her with a 125-year-old family ring.
He said: Will you spend the rest of your life with me?
She said: Yes, of course (Through sobbing tears—hers and his).

Monica Schweiger and Sean Buttery
Autumn 2004
The setting: They had both assumed it would happen the old-fashioned way—he’d surprise her, get down on one knee, etc. But on a sunny day in June, they spontaneously decided it was the perfect time to get engaged. So they went to Doyle & Doyle and bought a ring together. A bit nervous, they had a few margaritas before taking the L train to her favorite park. They sat on the rocks; he almost dropped the ring into a crevice before making it official.
He said: Will you make me a very happy man and marry me?
She said: Yes, please. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ada Calhoun Schjeldahl and Neal Medlin
August 21, 2004
The setting: Undressing their Christmas tree on New Year’s Day.
He said: (Nervously) Hey, stop taking ornaments off the tree.
She said: (Not turning) Why? Did you want to take them off?
He said: (Confused) Uh, no. Just stop for a second.
She said: (Still not turning) Is the cat stuck in a bag again?
He said: (Determined) No, seriously, look over here.
She said: (Still not turning) Did you make up a new dance you want to show me? (No response) Wh—? (Turns to see him on one knee with a ring that belonged to his mother.) Oh!!
He said: (Finally) Will you marry me?
She said: (Stunned) Yes, of course!

Consuelo Bellini and Kamuti Kiteme
June 23, 2004
The setting: On New Year’s Eve, they went to a party at a friend’s loft in the fashion district, where the mostly Brazilian guests were celebrating Yemanja, the Brazilian goddess of the oceans. Incorporating Yemanja into the night’s festivities was meant to help wash away 2003 and enter 2004 with clean souls. At about ten seconds before midnight, he whispered that he had something very important to tell her. As the crowd began to chant the countdown, he got down on one knee.
He said: Will you marry me? (She gasps, he waits.) You still haven’t given me an answer yet . . .
She said: Yes, with all my heart.