My City February 2022

MYWEDDING

Pop the Question LIKE A PRO

BY PETER HINTERMAN

So, you’ve been together for a while now. You’re in love and pretty sure the feeling is mutual. You know their bad habits and are ‘ne with them (even the weird toe- nail-clipping one). You’ve met their family members and liked some of them. You are sure that you want to spend the rest of your life with this person and are ready to propose that you make it legal. How do you do it? Well,MCM has compiled a list of ‘ve pro proposal moves to make sure it goes right. It’s time to get that big “Yes”MCM-style. 1. THEY SHOULD BE SURPRISED. e proposal should always be spontaneous for them, but not for you. Plan to do it in a natural setting or during an activity that isn’t too out of the ordinary. It can be fun to let their friends and family in on the scheme as long as they can be trusted. Don’t tell their best friend or even YOUR best friend if you think they’ll blab. 2. BE CHEESY. Oh, yes. It’s time to get romantic! Don’t be afraid to go a little over the top (within reason). Break out the rose petals, the candles, the ambiance. Maybe put on a little Barry Manilow or Barry White. (Well, Manilow could be a bit much; maybe save White for after the “yes” if you catch my drift.) It may feel a little ridiculous, but it will become a cherished memory. 3. DON’T HIDE THE RING. For gosh sakes, what are you doing ? e ring was expensive – never let it out of your sight! Don’t put it in a shoe, a tree, a buried treasure chest, a package you mailed to your home

addressed to your partner with instructions to open immediately that got lost in the mail and when it did arrive was stolen by a porch pirate you had to hunt down leading to an epic adventure of mystery and suspense causing the destruction of two cars and a building and the addition of a new cat to your home (she said “yes”), and never hide the ring in food. e last thing you want is for your partner to spend the night choking and gasping for air. 4. TAKE A KNEE. Old-fashioned? Yes. Cliched? Of course.To- tally sweet and endearing? Absolutely. Some customs should never be forgotten and this is one of them. You are asking another person to spend their life with you and only you. You are both vulnerable in the moment and surrendering yourself and all you stand for to them is eternally symbolic. Besides, their reaction when you take a knee will be forever priceless. 5. REHEARSE YOUR LINES. Know exactly what you will say and how to say it. You will be nervous, sweaty, shaking, stuttering, sweaty, scared, unsteady and sweaty. Practicing will help keep you calmer and more focused. Pro Tip: Keep it short and sweet. e more you want to say, the bigger the chance of stumbling. With these tips, you will have yourself a beaming betrothed in no time. No doubt they will be overjoyed and impressed by how well you planned for and executed a question of such importance and are ready to start a life with you as a partner. Good Luck and Godspeed from your friends at MCM! ®

Sergio Hayashi / stock.adobe.com babeer / stock.adobe.com

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