The Day I Said YES

Five years ago today, my life changed. And that moment needs to be commemorated.

I was told my boyfriend (that sounds so weird to say now!) was being honored at a work event, to be ready by 6pm, in cocktail attire and to bring my camera. So proud and a little nervous, I rushed home from work early, showered, threw on a dress and heels and flew out the door to meet him.

When I arrived at the address, he asked if I knew where we were. That should have been the first clue. It wasn’t. He should’ve remembered I’m directionally challenged and never know where I am.

We rode up the elevator, both of us shaking for very different reasons. When the doors opened to an empty apartment, not a coat check person, a server, or colleague in site, it was my turn to sweat.

For then, I knew. It was the moment. The one I had secretly dreamt about, hoped for, anticipated…

Zach led me by the hand, past a candlelit hall to a crackling fire. He said such sweet words, of which I can only remember a few and got down on one knee. It was like something out of a movie. Everything was still. All I could hear was my heart.

And then, me so eloquently saying, “Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God” over and over again. It’s all I could muster.

Eventually he had to ask, “Is that a yes?”

It was.

Again, he said, “Do you know where we are?”

And then it was clear.

Zach and I met Memorial Day weekend 2004. He was dog-sitting a Maltese named Clancy at an amazing New York apartment and invited friends over for a BBQ. Being a friend of friend, I tagged along. Cause that’s what you do in NYC when someone has access to a phenomenal apartment with an even better roof deck.

There was an immediate spark but it took us awhile to get our acts together (That saga deserves it’s own separate post!) but once we did, five years later, Zach knew the perfect place to propose- the spot where it all started- Clancy’s Apartment.

The only problem? The owners sold the place years ago. So my now husband tracked down the new owner and wrote him a letter explaining exactly why a stranger had to borrow his apartment. Not only did the man answer the letter (How many would have thrown it in the trash claiming crazy?), he said he’d love to have our story be a part of his. That’s a love story in and of itself, especially in New York!

So, there we were, sipping champagne in front of a fire and watching a gorgeous pink sunset on a Manhattan roof with 360 degree views of our favorite skyline thanks to the generosity of a once unknown, now friend.

Zach followed the proposal with a dinner at Il Mulino, a quintessential New York Italian restaurant that we’d been wanting to try for years. The only problem? We were too amped to eat. I think I had two of my twelve ravioli.

We waited to call people and share the news, perhaps one of my favorite parts. For a few precious hours, it was just us. And it was magical.

When we returned to our apartment, 10 bridal magazines were fanned out on the coffee table, waiting for me to devour. I take it back, that was my favorite part. Because it’s the little things. Because it was so him. Because he knows me too well.

I was too excited to sleep that night. And he knew that would be the case. So as he snoozed, finally relaxed after weeks of prep and stress, I devoured each one cover to cover.

The next day, he arranged for my friends to meet us for happy hour and the following for my family to come up for the weekend. It was the perfect 5-day event.

We’re still celebrating. This year, with the best thing ever to come out of our meeting, our engagement, our life together- our daughter.

Perhaps one day we’ll take her to Clancy’s apartment. Until then, she’ll have this story.

And these photos…