THE PROPOSAL
Hailey and Kwesi arrived in the Paris city center on Wednesday morning with a buzzing excitement to explore the city and an inflated confidence in their ability to speak the French language (which was immediately crushed after an embarrassing attempt to order a “cwoissant”). That evening they gorged on AMAZING Roman-style pizza, enjoyed a glass of wine or two, and saw the Eiffel Tower in lights. At the base of the monument, people from all over the world were marveling in its architectural achievement, dozens of languages spoken, forming a peaceful melody.
While Hailey was taking in the sights, Kwesi, on the other hand, was growing concerned. The size of these crowds could impede on his plans for a peaceful, intimate proposal. With some speedy text exchanges with his planning partner and photographer, Kwesi arranged a new time to pop the question.
The following morning, still and calm, as the city of Paris was just waking up, Kwesi woke up Hailey and told her to get ready for a surprise couples photoshoot. While Hailey stood at the vanity, trying to get her eyelashes to cooperate, Kwesi was practicing his stance on bended knee in the other room.
They arrived at the Place du Trocadéro, a beautiful plaza flanked by fountains and gold statues, across the way from the Eiffel Tower. The cloudy morning brought a stillness and peace that the pair enjoyed while waiting for the photographer to arrive. Leo, an incredibly friendly Parisian native, greeted the two with a smile and a wave of his camera.
Hailey had never been in a photoshoot before and quite frankly, could not stop laughing. Kwesi, serious as ever, would look over to see her giggling at every new direction Leo give.
Halfway through the shoot, as they stood at the top of a marble staircase, Kwesi turning to his girlfriend and took her hands in his. Initially confused as to why he was ignoring the photographer’s commands, all confusion faded away when he said, “Hailey Angelica Briscoe, I love you so much.” Shock, surprise, and joy flooded through her as Kwesi began the most beautiful speech about their growth, their accomplishments, and their future.
When he reached into his suit jacket and produced a velvet ring box, time stood still.
Practice makes perfect, as when he went on one knee, the rest of the world melted away.
“Will you marry me?”
And somewhere, between the nervous laughter, the shock, and the tears… she said yes.
