Tim had been working overseas for several months and everything he owned fit inside two suitcases. He was traveling through the states during the holidays to visit friends and family when he added a last-minute trip to NYC to attend a friend's Christmas party. After the party he headed to a bar (Tipsy Parson) and ended up meeting Alison. There was a quasi-immediate connection ("You don't own a bed or pay rent? So you're homeless.") and they decided to meet up the following day.

As an extra bonus they decided to wear matching red pants. You know, to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

After their weekend together Tim returned to his family in Virginia, but after four days (and hours on the phone) he booked a train to NYC to spend 24 hours with his new-found crush. Falling in love but scheduled to be on the road for another four weeks, Tim rescheduled his upcoming itinerary so that he could spend an 18-hour layover with Alison. It was his third trip to NYC in two weeks.

After a whirlwind series of dates in Tim was scheduled to work in England, Switzerland, Russia and Germany for four weeks. He only made it through Russia and showed up on Alison's doorstep in a snowstorm three weeks after he last saw her. His bags were left in Russia for almost a week, but he didn't care -- he was in love.

Two weeks later during a Valentine's Day trip to Istanbul Alison gifted Tim keys to her apartment and he agreed. Choosing to leave a life on the road, for a life with his new best friend.

Ten weeks later he bought Alison's engagement ring.

When Tim first returned to the States Alison was nervous that they'd have nothing to talk about. To compensate she'd scheduled all kinds of dates, one of which was to see a magician, Steve Cohen aka "The Millionaires Magician." We really enjoyed our time, and that afternoon was the most relaxed we'd had since meeting. We sat around and slowly drank cocktails and laughed a lot. The big joke became that Steve Cohen was a "Goddamn Sorcerer," and to be honest, he probably is.

Tim had bought a ring after ten weeks together, but needed to ask her parents. He immediately began planning a fake work trip for July in which he'd travel to "Dallas" to do some prep work for a wrestling tournament, when in fact he'd be traveling to Denver.

All sorts of deceptions were layered into the trip to meet Dr. and Mrs. Louie in Denver, but once the ask was made and the lying almost over, Tim was able to focus on Steve Cohen and asking Alison to join him in marriage and a life of happiness.

It was the night before Tim and Alison were scheduled to leave for Europe on a one week vacation and Tim asked Alison to celebrate the impending vacation with a martini at the Waldorf Astoria. She capitulated.

At 7pm Steve Cohen appears and Tim gave him the ring so that he could use it in a magic trick. Then the pair would walk to the table, act as though they'd bumped into each other and then go through a series of tricks with the ultimate trick being the reveal of the ring.

Alison bought the ruse and fell head first into Steve Cohen's sorcery. During the last trick the ring was revealed and Tim (after informing Alison that he'd flown to Denver that weekend) asked for his love's hand in marriage. She cried and agreed.

There was only one surprise remaining -- Alison's closest friend's waiting for her at a nearby restaurant where they cheered and enjoyed the couple's new engagement.