How it all began
“Her smile caught my attention, and I felt like she’d been missing from my whole life.”
— Michael
“I was immediately drawn to his laughter.”
— Anto
Anto & MichaelIt all started at Anto’s birthday party in September of 2019, when a mutual friend brought his roommate Michael along. Anto asked him to take a quick photo of her and her friends. It was just a simple moment they didn’t think much of at the time.
A few months later, in February of 2020, they found themselves at another party. Michael had rushed back from a snowboarding trip, and Anto had almost skipped it to stay in watching 10 Things I Hate About You. Thankfully, they both showed up.
Not knowing many people there, they started chatting and ended up talking all night long. They laughed, danced, and something just clicked. That night sparked something special, and they’ve been stuck with each other ever since.
How He Proposed….
I always knew that the most important part of the proposal was the surprise. When I found out that Anto had an upcoming work trip to New York City, I saw the perfect opportunity to make it something unforgettable. There wasn’t much time to plan, but I moved fast, doing everything I could to orchestrate each detail.
Once we arrived in New York, I was way too nervous to leave the ring at the hotel, so I carried it with me all day, clutching it in my pocket like my life depended on it. That led to a near disaster at the metal detectors in Rockefeller Center, but somehow the secret stayed safe.
After what felt like a lifetime of anticipation, the crisp autumn Sunday morning finally arrived. I took Anto to a simple breakfast, where I barely touched my food. I blamed it on a queasy stomach, but in reality, I was just trying to keep it together. I secretly texted the photographer to confirm everything was set, and then suggested we go for a walk in Central Park.
As we walked toward the lake, my usual nonstop chatter faded into silence. I was doing everything I could to mask the nerves. When we reached the spot I had chosen, I spotted the photographer subtly stepping out of the bushes, and I knew... this was it.
The words I had rehearsed over and over again in the mirror? They vanished. In that moment, I just spoke from the heart, telling Anto how much I loved her and how deeply she meant to me. Then, I dropped to one knee… and everything else faded away.
It was a day filled with love, anticipation, and so much laughter, truly the beginning of our next chapter together.
