Danny and I were dating for 15+ years before he proposed. Yes, you read that right! We started dating at a very young age and everyone thought we would be the first to get married, have kids and start our lives. Well jokes on us because we are actually the last to check this off the list. I will be lying if I didn’t say I felt uneasy seeing others catch up and start their lives before us and sometimes our conversations would turn into arguments. Why did it take us so long to get engaged? I’m not entirely sure but I strongly believe everything happens for a reason and we have something great coming our way. If you’re in the same boat as me, don’t stress about it. God knows exactly what He’s doing!
June 19, 2021
I planned a birthday celebration for Danny at our favorite vineyard: Millbrook Winery and Vineyard. The year prior we started dabbling in wine tasting and it quickly became our favorite hobby, especially among our friends. Since we couldn’t celebrate his 30th birthday the previous year and since he hates parties (can you guess whose idea it was to plan an engagement party?), I thought this year would make up for the milestone birthday.
I am the corny girlfriend that likes to match. I had him wear a pink button-down shirt to match my floral pink maxi dress. To an outsider, we were probably too overdressed but I’m also that extra, over the top girl that believes in wearing your best outfit when going out.
Sneaky Danny decided to use that opportunity to propose. He recruited one of our very dear friends Lucy to help organize. We started off with the usual wine tasting (Millbrook offers a flight of 6 wines and the connoisseur provides a thorough description of the wines you are tasting).
Our group then proceeded to find a spot on their massive property to set up our chairs, food, and chill. It was a beautiful, warm summer day – perfect for a picnic. I was happy to celebrate Danny and be surrounded by our small group of friends. After a while, Danny decided to take fun photos of the couples. He then proceeds to give the camera to our friend Drish to take photos of us. We take a few photos while giggling at how awkward it is being in front of the camera. He whispers in my ear:
“You know I love you, right?”
A bit confused on my end as to why he would ask that but didn’t give it much thought, I nonchalantly responded with “yes.”
He turns to me and says “Good because I know we’ve both been waiting for this moment for the longest time” and proceeds to get down on one knee.
I thought he was joking around as he normally does and try to walk away.
He pulls me back while he is still on his knee and I asked “are you for real?”
“Yes”
“I wish I could stand up here and promise you the world, but the world isn’t mine to give. What I do promise is my world and all it entails. My love, support, compassion, and enthusiasm.
I wish I could promise you riches, but every vault has its end. What I do promise you is a life of abundance—an abundance of love, support, strength, vulnerability, passion, and of course adventure.
I promise to love you, to be your best friend, to be patient with you, to work together with you to achieve our goals, to accept you unconditionally, and to share my life with you forever.
I promise to always fight your battles by your side, respect you and put you above anything and anyone else.
Most importantly I promise to always order a side of fries even when you say you don’t want but secretly do.
Now, do you promise to make me the happiest man right now and say yes to marrying me and building our life together?”
And just like that I became a fiancé.
A special thank you to my dear Lucy for being the best wing woman Danny could have asked for and getting those delicious Tiramisu and Oreo cookies. You’re the greatest friend anyone can have. Also thank you to Drish for being the best photographer and trying to get those angles for us. To Rich, even though Danny and I didn’t know you for a long time, your support and genuine happiness for us on our big day meant the world to us. Thanks for being a great hype man!
*Brooklyn photos were taken by our sister in law
*Spring photos were taken by Aisa | IG: ochirova_photography
