Windy City Proposal

A Night to Remember~Our Engagement Story
December 6, 2008
Chicago, Illinois

Originally we planned to go downtown Chicago to see the play 'A Christmas Carol' at Goodman Theater to kick off the holidays together. Donnie then made plans to go down for the whole weekend, so we could shop, look at Christmas decorations, have a nice romantic dinner for two and stay at the historic Intercontinental Hotel on Michigan Ave. Marriage was something that we often discussed, even though it had been just a year since we met on Match.com. (YES, we met on Match and YES, it does work!) Anyway, I knew (without question) that i had found my soulmate, my other half, my true love. I also knew that we would sooner then later get engaged. Maybe even during our weekend in the city. But I NEVER, I mean NEVER, would have thought it would happen like this. . . .

After being stuck in traffic for two hours on the night of December 6th, 2008, we finally made it to our Hotel. We had dinner reservations for Capital Grille at 8:30pm. But, we also wanted to go to Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza to do some shopping and see the infamous Christmas tree. I rushed to get ready, and Donnie went to get some champagne to drink before we left. By 7:00pm(ish) we were out the door, catching a cab in very cold, windy and snowy weather- typical Chicago. But, we were determined stick to our plan! Once we got to Daley Plaza we knew we had less then an hour to tour the Christkindlmarket and get some pics by the giant tree. We wandered the market, and then eventually made it over to the tree. I suggested that we find someone to take a picture of us. But, before I could find someone to take our picture, Donnie came and stood right in front of me under the tree. He took his gloves of and fumbled around in his coat pocket. I asked him what he was doing, he didnt answer. Instead, he said to me "Allison, you make me the happiest person in the world. Not a day goes by that I don't fall more in love you." Then he got down on one knee, held a beautiful ring and said "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" . . . .

OF COURSE I SAID YES!! (between my sobs and omg's!) People around us were applauding and congratulating us. In the corner of my eye I saw someone taking pictures of us. Donnie said "look over there, that guy is taking our pic". Weird, I thought, but I was in such a daze of excitement I would've done anything at that point. Then, Donnie walked over to the photographer taking all these of us pics and gave him a hug! The guy took off the ski mask he was wearing, and to my absolute surprise, it was Donnies Uncle Paul from Texas!!! I shrieked and asked what he was doing there. He said he was there on a business trip, and he found out Donnie was going to propose so he thought he would come get some pics of it for us! I asked if he could come to dinner, but we only had reservations for two. :( So we walked with Uncle Paul down the street to find a cab. I did noticed several Cabs the other way, but the insisted that we went the way we were going. I still was dazed and didn't think anything of it. (and I couldn't stop staring at my beautiful ring!) Uncle Paul pointed out a Trolley parked ahead, and suggested that we take a pic in front of it. As we walked toward it, to my complete shock and surprise, there was a giant banner on the trolley that said 'CONGRATULATIONS DONNIE AND ALLISON! NEWLY ENGAGED!!!' Then I looked up in the trolley, and in it was both of our families smiling down at us. . . .

After lots of tears of joy, pictures and champagne, we headed off in the beautiful trolley. The driver took us over by the lake so we could get some pictures of us with the Chicago skyline in back. Then I asked 'what about Capital Grille!?' They all laughed, and told me that we weren't going to eat there. Instead Donnie and his parents set up an amazing private dinner for all of us at Le Colonial on their terrace. After hor dourves, drinks and an amazing several course French dinner it finally began to all sink in. I looked around at our families laughing, talking and taking pictures together. I looked at my beautiful ring. I looked at my amazing FIANCE and realized I just became the luckiest girl in the world!!!