We went to Italy to celebrate Russ' big 5-0. Upon arriving in Rome, we unhappily discovered that our luggage had decided to remain in New York for a few extra days thanks to Failitalia Airlines so we spent the first few evenings washing our traveling clothes in the sink of the apartment we rented. After 3 days of this nonsense, we decided to invoke the "delayed baggage" clause of our oh-so-wisely-purchased travel insurance which entitled each of us to spend $500 for "necessities." We truly believe that a $500 shopping spree in Rome IS a necessity so we spent the morning of Russ' birthday buying new outfits for us to wear at our fancy dinner that evening at the Savoy Hotel.

The restaurant at the Savoy Hotel is located on the roof of the hotel near the Borghesi gardens. The food was wonderful and the service impeccable. It was all very elegant without being stuffy. At the end of the meal, they turned all the lights off at the restaurant to deliver a tiramisu with a candle to the table...a very cool touch.

We decided to enjoy our after dinner drinks on the upper lounge, above the restaurant, to take in the spectacular view of Rome. We were seated at a "high boy" bar table, taking it all in, and feeling great in our new duds. On all of these details, we are in agreement. What happened next differs slightly for each of us...

RUSS's VERSION
Daniel starts to get very romantic and lovey-dovey, encouraged (I believed) by the wine and after-dinner drinks we had been enjoying. He took my hand, and got down on one knee beside me. Well, "below me" is probably more accurate, since I was sitting high up on a bar stool. And I'm like, "what are you doing down there?" and he launches into what was clearly a well-rehearsed speech, extolling his love for me, and expressing his desire for me to marry him. "Are you serious?," I say "Get up, people are staring!" I truly believed he was joking (especially given the comical sight of him so far down below)!

Upset at not being taken seriously, he got back up and said, "Nevermind, I take it back," at which point it finally clicked for me that he wasn't kidding (perhaps it was I who had been influenced by the libations?). I again asked if he was serious, and he said yes! So of course I said, "OK, ask me again!" It took a little bit of convincing his bruised ego at that point, but he finally relented, took my hand, and repeated his beautiful speech. And I of course said YES!

DANIEL's VERSION
Russ's recounting of the night is pretty much how it happened, but he had the benefit of not knowing what was coming his way. No matter how long you have known each other and even if you are pretty sure the answer will be “yes”, it is not easy to ask the one you love the big question. I generally like to speak what is on my mind and without much rehearsal, but this was not a moment to wing it. And then fate came in to make it all the more confusing. The airline lost our luggage for four days, for our entire stay in Rome. I did not have his birthday gifts (a Swarovski black onyx bracelet and a pair of matching cuff links), I did not have the outfit I wanted to wear (which I had been dieting for months to fit into) and I did not have my notes. All of which I really wanted in order for it to be a perfect night, but actually I did not need any of those things. The night was perfect nonetheless. The universe brought Russ into my life when there was much turmoil. He loved me unconditionally, strengthened my confidence and mended my heart. One can always choose their friends, but falling in love is not something we can control. It is destiny which lays out the road ahead and although we cannot know where it leads I can say that I am looking forward to the journey with Russ by my side.

And then we immediately posted about it on Facebook...otherwise it's not real, right?