Valentine’s is still half a week away, but around these parts we’re already in the full romantic spirit. And thanks to one Boston firefighter who planned the cutest proposal EVER, we’re spending our morning swept up and teary eyed in the captures straight from First Mate Photo. What started as a gorgeous party put together by Lauren Wells Events and Pollen Floral Design, ended in a “Will you marry me?” when the ultimate party crasher came in through the window. Spoiler alert: she said yes!
From The Bride…A month earlier I was sitting on my best friend’s stoop and she said we ought to have a party and I would help her co-host, little did I know I was helping her to plan the proposal! Hours before our guests are set to arrive, she confirms the time, and Mike tells me he has been detailed over to another fire house, one that I know does not relieve early. So he will be late to the party.
I go on up to Katherine’s always beautiful home, and wow! There are three women who have designed and adorned the house with my favorite colors – pink and gold. Her mantle is arranged with beautiful peonies, there is even a pink instant camera, pink quartz! Heaven! We both agreed to hire a caterer and there she is in the kitchen, making the teeniest and cutest miniature versions of the things – like hummus cups in shot glasses.
She asks me to go downstairs to put a sign on the door that it’s open and to come on up. My brother and his fiancee arrive! My high school friends! And my girlfriend who came from her honeymoon! There are 14 people in her apartment hugging each other hello, drinking and noshing when all of a sudden we learn there has been a kitchen fire upstairs.
Then a few big bangs on our door and enters a handsome, massive imposing firefighter with blue steely eyes. He is so serious! My god I was intimidated. I see his cover/hat and it’s the same ladder as Mike’s, and I ask, “Do you know Mike?”
“Y’know, Woody?” in his big Boston accent, he says he’s been detailed out. Then, my brother grabs me to come into a the office, off the main room. I hear, “Everything alright boys?” and there is my man, coming through the white curtains in his full bunker gear. Mike takes a small wooden box from his coat and gets down on one knee. His voice is trembling and he says, “You are my best friend, will you make me the happiest man, will you marry me?” I just keep nodding my head, saying yes and I give him a huge hug! And I put out my right hand – the wrong hand! Ha!
The first person I turn to see after Mike and my brother is his mum, his father, brother and sister and my parents and then holy smokes, my college friend from NYC. The most important people in my life.
And here it is, I met him when I was 16 and immediately knew then that there was something special about him. He is my soul mate, my love and my home. He grounds me, makes me the best version of myself – confident, daring and smart, and allows me to be myself, vulnerabilities and all.
I am so lucky to keep the company of such wonderful, generous and loving people who make magic! They brought me to the moon that night on a bed of stars.
Photography: First Mate Photography Co. | Event Design & Styling: Lauren Wells Events | Floral Design: Pollen Floral Design | Venue: Back Bay