Kimberly B.
My fiancé, Ben, and I live in Chicago. I knew that we were going to get engaged; it was just a matter of time. I could wait for the ring, but I wanted to make sure that the venue, the Newberry Library, and the church were available. Ben agreed that I could book the venue and the church, but I had to promise not to tell anyone until we got engaged.
On February 22, 2008, Ben told me that he had a special date planned. He took me to 5 pm mass at St. Michael's, and then to our favorite restaurant. We then walked to the Newberry Library, where a wedding had moved from the main library entrance and into the dining room. It was decorated beautifully, and there was a chair waiting for me. At the top of the stairs, a harpist started playing, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Ben then got on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. I was crying, and obviously said, "Yes."
I then looked outside and saw a horse carriage waiting for us. The carriage took us to a famous Chicago spot - the Pump Room. When we arrived, we were served champagne and a dessert that spelled out: "Congratulations - You're Engaged!" in chocolate. It didn't end there, as my family was located one block away at a different restaurant waiting for our news. It was amazing, and indeed, a tough one to beat!