It was a beautiful sunny day on August 20, 2009.  Amy and her sisters (Allison and Abby) went shopping with their cute little nephew (Ryan).   Amy thought it was just a regular day.  Or was it?

After some successful shopping the idea was shared to go over to Island Park along the Fox River to walk, enjoy the sunshine, and see “Amy and Daniel’s bench.”  Amy thought it was a great idea.

Hidden 500 feet away was Joel behind a tree with a video camera, Billy behind the slide with a digital camera, and of course Daniel with a shiny rock.

Many benches dotted the river walk.  As Daniel patiently waited for Abby and Allison to take Amy to the “right bench” Amy altered the plans.  This part of the story was unscripted.  Everything was working as planned: Allison claimed she needed to go change Ryan and disappeared while Abby kept walking with Amy to “the bench.”  But Amy unknowingly decided to switch up the story and insist on going to a different bench (She later claimed it was because she only had 3 hours of sleep.  Valid).  Meanwhile Billy kept texting Abby and Allison saying, “She’s at the wrong bench.”  After some secretive coordinating Abby convinced Amy to walk further down the path.

At the right moment as the true bench approached, Abby and Allison conveniently disappeared.  Then Daniel appeared from behind a large oak tree.

He grabbed Amy’s hand and brought her in front of “their bench.”  Smiling big, he asked her, “Are you ready for this?”

He said, “All my life I have waited to find you at this bench.  And I thank God that I have found you here right now.  I love you Amy.  Then he slowly got down on one knee, pulled out a small black box and said, “Amy, will you marry me?”

In the midst of large smiles and squealing, she said “Yes.”

Later that evening, Amy and her new fiance were joined by both families for dinner at the Gazebo Restaurant.  Thanks for sharing the special day with us: Dad + Mom Rich; Dad + Mom Riem; Allison, Billy, Will, + Ryan; Abby (+ Brad via cell phone); Joel + Melissa.

The Significance of the Bench

Toward the end of the park by the old stone bridge sits a wooden bench.  At this bench Daniel asked Amy to “officially start dating” (use whatever terminology you wish) on August 25, 2008.  It was also at this bench that they shared many important conversations as a couple.  One week before the proposal, Daniel spontaneously took Amy to the bench and told her for the first time he loved her.  (This was the first time Daniel had told a girl this and the first time Amy had heard it from a guy…the way it was meant to be.)