Around the new year, Patrick had made up his mind that Andrea was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and started thinking of how he was going to propose.

Their six-month anniversary was approaching and as luck would have it, a girlfriend of Andrea’s was coming to town for the weekend. So the three of them made a casual plan to meet for brunch that Sunday – back to Whetstone Tavern, the site of their first date. Her friend, in on the plan, didn’t give Andrea any hints.

As they arrived at the restaurant, instead of walking inside, Andrea and her friend were greeted by one of her childhood best friends with a rose for her. The trio then kept walking and came across another friend with a rose.  Another block, another friend, another rose. This went on for a few blocks until they turned the corner and found her sisters and parents over the course of a few more blocks.

The map Patrick sent to everyone before the engagement.

Andrea and the growing crowd then entered Washington Square Park and found Patrick standing in the center next to a vase of roses. After what felt like an eternity of walking, Andrea made her way to Patrick. He read her a note he’d written himself years before describing his future wife – it fit her to a T. Then he dropped down on one knee and with her grandmother’s 50th anniversary ring asked her to marry him. He is still excited that she said yes.