Veronica and Devin were high school sweethearts—but that depends on how you define sweethearts. For those with a looser interpretation of the word, here’s how things went down: Veronica mildly stalked Devin all through high school. On the last day of school, having never said a word to him beforehand, she confidently walked up to him and wrote in his yearbook, confessing her affection. Six years later, Devin surprised Veronica with one of the sweetest proposal you have to read (and see) to believe.
Give us the details! When? Where? How?
I had been dropping not-to subtle hints to Devin for a while. I kept thinking he was going to propose, but our anniversary weekend was upon us and I just knew it was coming! He got a hotel in the city. I am pumped, working on my surprise face and gestures. He gets in the shower finally leaving me at least an hour to find the rock. I turn the room upside down—the mini fridge, the mattress, drawers, pockets, luggage. I was determined! I finally realize there was no ring, and I call my mom in tears convinced he’s not going to do it. I think, “He’s never going to do it!” My mom comforted me enough to compose myself. I brush myself off and get ready for our day in Central Park.
It was November, we rented rowboats—it was nostalgically reminiscent of the day he gave me my promise ring. I got over the whole ring debacle, and I was just happy to be spending our weekend together.
But little did I know, as he rows under the bridge, he catches my attention by remaking how beautiful the bridge looks behind me. I look over at the bridge and there were our families on the bridge holding up a big sign with big red letters: “Will you marry me?”
I instantly cried. Everyone around us was clapping, and I was just shocked. I turned around and saw him on one knee in our rowboat with the most gorgeous ring. He proposed to me, and all I could do was kiss him. I couldn’t help it! I kissed him, and then I yelled, “Yes!” We rowed to our families and friends and celebrated with a brunch at Tavern On the Green in Central Park.
P.s. He took the ring with him in the bathroom because he knew I would look for it (and find it) if he left it out.
How do you stay sane under the pressures of wedding planning?
Starbucks—and time. I know not everyone has a lot of time before the big day, but we decided to set a date way way way way in advanced. We were in no big hurry to get to the wedding. We knew it was going to happen, so we just planned out time. And we do a bit at a time, so if something doesn’t go right, it’s cool. And if he forgets for the hundredth time to send me his guest list, it’s no big deal. I guess we don’t worry too much about much.
What piece of advice would you give couples to ensure that they use Joy to its fullest potential?
Oh my gosh! Use it all—get the app, put it on your details card, tell everyone about it, show your friends on your phone so they see how awesome it is. Make your wedding party a part of it. Make your partner aware, so they can tell their family. Experiment with it all. Go through it and play around with all the details with your partner. Make it yours, not just the website or the app, but the experience.
At Joy we believe that even though a wedding lasts a day, joy should last forever. What does that mean to you?
Have fun, and enjoying the gift of love that you get to share with your partner—not just on your wedding day, but everyday. Every now and then anyone could forget about the joy between the floral arrangements and centerpieces, but it’s hard to stay stressed when you remember the joy your partner brings to your life. And when everyday stresses of wedding planning turn into the everyday stresses that we will face as a couple, I will always try to find the joy and to laugh and remember what’s important, forever.
