Mark and Emily’s story began in the modern-day fairy tale fashion—on a dating app, in February 2022. Mark made the first move, breaking the ice with his signature witty banter that instantly caught Emily’s attention.

They hit it off quickly through messages and made plans to meet in person. But fate had a sense of humor. First, Emily had to cancel due to being under the weather. Then, when they tried again, Mark had to bow out because his beloved kitty wasn’t feeling well (don’t worry—the kitty made a full recovery!).

After a few weeks of chatting and a couple of missed connections, Emily decided to shake things up. She invited Mark to join her and some close friends—including one of her bridesmaids—for a couples game night. Mark didn’t hesitate for a second but made one request: drinks in Kirkland beforehand so they could finally get to know each other one-on-one. Emily happily agreed.

On the night of their first date, Emily gave Mark a few bar suggestions. But true to form, Mark chose the road less traveled and picked a brand-new champagne bar that Emily had never even heard of—despite it being right in her stomping grounds. Also true to form, Emily was running fashionably late, which gave Mark plenty of time to get set up at the bar and chat with the staff about the best things to order. When he told Emily where to meet, she was both confused and intrigued. The unexpected venue only added to the sense of adventure.

When Emily walked into the bar, the first words out of her mouth were, “Alright, let’s do this thing.”
Mark barely heard what she said over the chorus of angels singing as one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen walked into the bar. He mouthed a silent thank you to no one in particular—as if the universe had just handed him a moment he didn’t want to miss. And just like that, the next chapter of their lives began—with a glass of champagne, a little serendipity, and a whole lot of laughter.

Mark had been planning the proposal for over six months—long before passports were stamped or flights were booked. He worked closely with a talented jeweler (big shoutout to “Florida Man” for the introduction) to design a custom ring for Emily. From the beginning, Emily made her diamond requirements known, but left the final design up to Mark’s imagination. With the guidance of her mom, Linda Sue—who served as a trusted sounding board—Mark felt confident he was making the right choices to create something truly special.

In the weeks leading up to the trip, Emily—on the expert advice of her best friend and co–maid of honor, Alana—did her best to subtly fish for proposal details. Her pointed questions, which she insisted were low-key, kept Mark on his toes and wondering just how much she might already know. Regardless, he stayed tight-lipped, determined to keep the surprise intact.

When it came to choosing the right time and place, fate stepped in. Emily and Mark’s dear friends, Anella and Jarrod, were getting married in the South of France, and Mark saw a golden opportunity. Emily is a Francophile through and through (the original Emily in Paris, if you will), so Paris felt like the only place that made sense. With Anella’s blessing to propose before her wedding, Mark got to planning.

He envisioned a classic, romantic Parisian picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower—a timeless setting for a moment they’d remember forever. To make it even more special, they visited a charming neighborhood shop, where a kind and passionate shopkeeper curated the most incredible picnic spread. From fresh breads and cured meats to rich cheeses and perfectly paired wine, every item was thoughtfully selected to celebrate love the French way.

There was, however, one thing Mark couldn’t control: the weather. Rain had fallen earlier that day, and the ground was soaked. But ever the planner, Mark had packed a yoga mat in his luggage. This drew some serious suspicion from Emily, who couldn’t figure out why on earth he’d brought a yoga mat across the Atlantic. Mark tried to brush it off with a casual “for hotel workouts” excuse, but Emily wasn’t convinced.

When they arrived at the Eiffel Tower, Mark’s heart sank—the entire Champs de Mars was closed due to it being a venue for the Olympic and upcoming Paralympic volleyball games. Not to be discouraged, the two wandered around the base of the tower until they found a quiet, grassy spot on the Seine-facing side. It was private, peaceful, and still offered a picture-perfect view of the Eiffel Tower.

As Emily began to set up their curated picnic, Mark stealthily retrieved the ring from its hiding place. And then—as if on cue—the clouds parted, revealing a stunning patch of blue sky behind the tower. It was perfect. Except… Emily was too busy taking photos of the picnic setup to notice. By the time Mark finally got down on one knee and declared his love, the clouds had rolled back in.

So, while the proposal photos show a cloudy sky, they also show something far more important: the ring on Emily’s finger. She said yes—even if, in the excitement of the moment, she doesn’t remember exactly what Mark said or even if she responded out loud. (She did. We checked.)

It was romantic, a little chaotic, perfectly imperfect, and uniquely theirs—a Parisian moment they’ll cherish forever.