How We Met: Spencer and I first met at our freshmen orientation at Plattsburgh State University in July 2008. I noticed Spencer the first day we were there after my friend pointed out that he was staring at me (though he SWEARS he doesn’t remember that). From that point on, we were inseparable. We stayed up talking all night both nights and kept in touch until we both started college that August. The problem was, I had a boyfriend from high school, and he a girlfriend at home. Well, long story short, we both were single again by the end of the second week at school and the rest is history.
how they asked: Fast forward six years and Spencer and I were getting ready to celebrate our anniversary. A few weeks earlier Spencer told me to buy a dress because he made reservations at a nice restaurant and I thought nothing of it. We had many conversations about getting engaged and I knew he was saving but I truly thought that day was going to be very far away.
So on December 5, 2014, Spencer got up for work and since I was off that day, I slept in. We texted a few times throughout the day about our upcoming dinner date. I went and got a manicure and my hair blown out for our special night, I really wanted to look nice! I had a small hope that maybe, just maybe he would propose that night but I truly did not think that it would happen. So Spencer got home from work, showered and put on a suit, and off we went. Walking to the subway I started asking him where we were going, what stop we would get off at, etc. He didn’t budge.
A 15 minute subway ride later, we got off the subway and it found out it was drizzling. I started complaining because we didn’t have an umbrella and I just had my hair done! After I was relentless with the questions and complaining about the weather and my shoes he stopped and looked at me and said, “Celia will you stop? I’m trying to do something nice.” I realized I was being a complainer and decided I would be a better sport.
We headed into Central Park and I thought I had figured out his surprise! I really thought he was taking me to the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park for dinner. I was so sure of myself in fact, that I told him we were going the wrong way, he assured me that we weren’t. As we approached a beautiful bridge in Central Park, he grabbed my hand and said, “So I’ve been thinking about this night for about 6 years now…” My heart started racing, I forgot all about the rain and the pain in my feet from my very high heels! The next 10 minutes are a blur from excitement. I remember him telling me he loved me and hugging me and kissing me and finally he got down on one knee and asked, “Will you marry me?” I replied with, “Of course!” As we started walking back through the park what just happened finally hit me and I started hysterically crying exclaiming “You’re so good to me!”
After I finished sobbing, we finally made it to our dinner destination, a restaurant called Asiate in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. As we walked through the front door into the hotel’s lobby, both of our parents were there waiting for us, cue the waterworks again! After taking pictures and hugging and crying our parents parted ways and we headed upstairs for dinner. The restaurant had beautiful views of New York City and a bottle of champagne waiting for us. We had an amazing time celebrating our engagement.
As the end of dinner neared, Spencer told me that our night wasn’t over yet. When we walked outside, the drizzle from earlier in the evening turned into a full on rain so I suggested that we take a cab wherever we were headed next. He looked at me and said, “Well, this is us…” as he walked up to a limousine. He opened up the door for me and inside were all of our best friends from college. I swear I didn’t stop crying the entire night. We headed to the beautiful Skylark Lounge in Manhattan and had a wonderful time celebrating with the people who were such a huge part of our relationship throughout our college years.
After a couple hours at the Skylark, Spencer and I headed back into the limousine and the driver asked, “Back to Astoria?” I replied with “Yes”, after all that’s where we live! So a short drive later the limo stops and it turns out we had different “Astoria”‘s in mind. We were at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan. Spencer then explained to me that he didn’t actually work that day. He had spent the day picking out the champagne for dinner, checking into the room and setting it up with clothes for the both of us for the next day, and laid out rose petals everywhere. He also explained to me that my late grandmother and grandfather had honeymooned here in this same hotel many years ago.
Spencer truly surprised me at every step of the way. It was an amazing night full of surprises and people we love. We are SO excited to be engaged and can’t wait to start this next chapter of our lives. I can’t wait to be his Mrs!