From Allie's POV:

James and I met in the most surprising way possible: in line for the bathroom at a Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn. Over the course of three years, the stranger from the bathroom line turned into my very best friend-- the person I quickly realized I would be lucky to spend the rest of my life with. Before meeting James, I always had a plan, thought through every detail, and needed to be in control. Some may call that perfectionist behavior. But James and his rather abrupt arrival into my life showed me that the best things are the least expected– and worth waiting for. 

In keeping with this motto, I didn't want to be too involved in the proposal. When we began talking about an engagement, James and I went to a few jewelers to try on some pre-made rings-- just to figure out what suited me best. I learned I liked an emerald cut, I liked a gold band, and I maybe liked some side stones? But I kept it vague. I remember coming across Susie's instagram. I briefly showed James a ring on her page. "I love her custom pieces," I think I said. 

But, after those not-too-clear instructions, I was left in the dark as James went off to, supposedly, make it all happen (I think he would say he also felt a little in the dark). As what felt like decades (six months) went by, I reminded myself over and over again: I want to be surprised. I don't need to be in control of this. I want to be surprised!!! At a certain point, I felt like I was trying to convince myself of this: I am really pretty positive that I do indeed want to be surprised!!! 

For Thanksgiving, we spent the weekend at my parents' home in Connecticut. I was absolutely convinced he was not proposing that weekend. My family played a huge role in this: my step sister repeatedly asked if James was planning on talking to her before proposing, plainly stating that she would be pissed if he didn't. My stepmom made a passing comment that she worried his logistics may fail him: "I wonder if he even has a plan," she said to me, the morning he was apparently going to propose. Later that day, my little sister took the train back to the city for work (or so I thought). Everyone was back to their normal routine. James even worked a half day.

In the afternoon, the two of us decided to go on a walk. Apparently, this was all part of the plan-- even though somehow I thought a walk was my idea. James said he wanted to shower first. Then he came downstairs dressed in.... corduroys, leather boots, and his nice  jacket? Teasing, I said: "Why are you dressed so nicely? Are you about to propose to me??" I was laughing as I got up from the couch, walked over, and– wait for it– PATTED THE POOR BOY DOWN jokingly saying "Where's the box?!" ....Apparently, I just missed the box. James kept his cool: "I am just dressed for our early dinner reservation, I don't want to change after the walk." Fair enough.

I, however, did not change. I was so unconvinced that anything was happening that I wore my step-mom's too short sweatpants and bright blue old sneakers in my closet from high school. "Are you going to be cold in that?" my step sister asked as I headed out the door. "I'll be fine," I retorted. 

We walked our usual mile loop to the beach near my parents' house. It wasn't until we were on the sand that I started noticing James fidgeting, reaching for his back pocket. All of the sudden, he abruptly stopped in his tracks and got down on one knee. I was stunned. I could hardly process what was happening as he asked me to marry him. James exceeded my wildest expectations, asking for my hand in marriage in one of my favorite places in the world-- the place I feel the most comfortable and myself . The next surprise: my whole family ran out onto the beach with champagne to celebrate. A photographer captured the full love fest. 

And finally, perhaps the best surprise of all: the ring. When James got on one knee I blacked in for just a second to clock that he was holding Susie's light pink box. I could not believe he remembered that passing comment I made so many months ago. The three stone emerald cut ring exceeded my wildest expectations. It truly took my breath away. James explained to me that, after trying a few different options, it was Susie who he felt the most comfortable with. Together they crafted my dream ring-- without me even fully knowing what that dream was. James reported that over the course of many meetings he closely looked at many diamonds as Susie waited patiently, carefully advising him, until they found the perfect emerald cut– the diamond that I now get to gaze at for the rest of my life. 

Susie, in my mind, is my pseudo-guardian angel: the ring she created for me reminded me, once again, that the best things in life arrive when you least expect them.... and, often, are sparkly.