I knew there was something incredibly special about Maggie from the moment I first saw her. I knew how exceptional she was since we sat at HandleBar in Mount Dora, FL on our first date. Sunlight was streaming through the windows, and I had this undeniable feeling deep inside me that the person sitting across from me would completely and radically change my life. Since that day, I have never doubted that feeling. It was just a matter of time before I could make it official and ask Maggie to be my wife.

That was in 2021, and after moving to Chicago together in February of 2024, I formally started the proposal process by asking for Maggie's mom's blessing on her first visit to the city. Her "yes" meant so much to me, and from there, I knew that we could continue the process by looking at rings together in late May.

It gave us the chance to figure out what Maggie liked and didn’t like. Working with an amazing jeweler based in Andersonville, I was able to create a custom ring for Maggie, combining her favorite design features and my dream for her ring. After a few weeks, the ring was ready, and when I picked it up, I was absolutely blown away. The jeweler had done an incredible job—it was truly the ring of Maggie’s dreams.

Next on my agenda was figuring out how to ask her to marry me. After talking with her sister and Person of Honor, Ellie, I realized a trip to Washington, D.C.—a city that holds so much significance for both of us—would be the perfect opportunity. Maggie had already planned a solo trip to visit Ellie in late June, so the timing worked out perfectly. I coordinated with Ellie on where I would stay, when I would fly in, and how I would propose. The toughest part for me was keeping it a surprise, especially since I’m not the best at lying (haha).

With flights booked, the ring ready, and a plan coming together, I had to focus on the details of the proposal. Ellie and I came up with a cover story: she would invite Maggie to a casual picnic in front of the Washington Monument on the National Mall. They planned to attend a Pride event in Arlington, Virginia, afterward, but the picnic was a nice way to spend some time outdoors and relax before the crowds. Maggie was excited about the idea, as it would give her a chance to meet more of Ellie’s friends. Little did she know, Ellie was fully committed to helping me pull off the surprise. She even changed my name and contact info in her phone to that of one of her friends, so when I texted her about the details, Maggie wouldn’t suspect a thing.

The morning of the proposal, I picked up some of our favorite snacks and a special picnic blanket and brought my iPad to the National Mall. I set up the iPad with a video—a highlight reel of moments from the past three years with Maggie. It included clips from the one-second videos I’ve taken over the years, extended to draw out all the small but meaningful moments that have made our relationship what it is.

Finally, Maggie and Ellie arrived at the National Mall via bus, which I took as a great sign. If Maggie had suspected anything, she probably wouldn’t have traveled to her own engagement via public transit! (We love public transportation.) The surprise was ready to go! (Also, pay no attention to me creeping on the opposite sides of the monument, looking VERY shady…

When Maggie reached the iPad, she hit play and watched the 3 ½-minute video. At the very end, I was standing behind her with the ring, getting down on one knee, and asking if she would spend the rest of her life with me. Of course, she said yes! In that moment, I was the happiest person in the entire world, and I know she would say the same!

We spent the rest of the day celebrating! Once we were completely giddy with excitement, we called our friends and family to share the news. Maggie got a manicure, we took photos on the National Mall, and we had appetizers and dinner at two incredible restaurants,

It was a perfect day and the start of an incredible chapter in our lives. While we knew that planning a wedding would be an adventure of its own, we made it a priority to savor this special moment and simply enjoy being together.