The Proposal
It was the day after Christmas, Friday, December 26th, 2008. We were having one last "Chicago Date Night" before heading on vacation to St. Lucia for seven nights.
We always have our "Date Night" at Ruth's Chris Chicago; it is our favorite restaurant!! We have been going there for almost six years, and have earned somewhat of a reputation; We feel like VIPs when we walk in the door, as we are shown to "our booth" immediately. The General Manager, Michael, has known us for years now and is quite an amazing guy!
When we arrived at Ruth's Chris, we were promptly greeted by Michael, (he knew I would be leaving again for Australia, and this would be my last trip to Ruth's Chris until at least April 2009) so he was ever so gracious with his words! Michael escorted us to our booth, and we sat down. Michael was holding the dinner and wine menus and said to the two of us "Well, I have bad news, the corporate office completely changed the menu again, and we no longer carry the Spring Salad, Barbeque Shrimp or Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake! I can't even order the ingredients for the salad". Mark and I were very surprised.
Michael said, "Take a look at the menu; there are some new items that I think you will really like". He handed both Mark and I the menu, and upon opening it, the entire left side of the menu (where the Chef typically lists his "specials") was customized, and it said in BIG letters: "Kate, Will You Marry Me?" ...I was completely shocked!!! I looked at Mark and said "OMG, Babe!". Mark scooted out of the booth, came over to me, got down on on knee and said "Are you ready to spend the rest of our lives together?" (at this point I felt my chin start to quiver) and I immediately said "YES"!!! I kissed and hugged him! He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small, black box, opened it and once again, I was completely shocked! He took the ring out of the box and put it on my finger! It was absolutely stunning! He did such an amazing job; he never asked me anything, though I always preferred it that way; I wanted it to be what he picked for me! I couldn't stop smiling, my cheeks were actually sore!
One of our Best friend's actually works at Ruth's Chris and was able to witness the entire proposal, as well as capture the "down on one knee" photo! It is a photo I will alway cherish!
Once the reality of what just happened sunk in, I looked at the menu again, and saw there was even further customization. The top of the menu said "December 26, 2008: Chef Features the Engagment of Kate & Mark"; at the bottom of the menu, there was a very sweet note from the staff at Ruth's Chris wishing us all the best!
Michael came to our table with a bottle of Dom Perignon, and two special Dom Perignon champagne flutes (which I plan to use at our wedding); he also came over with a whole bag of Ruth's Chris items (for the special occassion); we were given hats, t-shirts, a RC bottle opener, a RC cigar cutter, a RC table cleaner, and of course, Michael told me that the menu was mine to keep!
Mark planned everything perfectly; he had purchased the ring before I even came home from Australia (in November) and had planned the RC menu idea weeks ahead of time. He coordinated with Michael (who wasn't even supposed to come in that night; after the proposal he (and his wife - who came to watch) left, as they had plans for the evening). We were leaving the next day for a wonderful vacation to St. Lucia, so it became our "Engagementmoon"!
December 26, 2008 was, hands down, the GREATEST night of my life!!!
We always have our "Date Night" at Ruth's Chris Chicago; it is our favorite restaurant!! We have been going there for almost six years, and have earned somewhat of a reputation; We feel like VIPs when we walk in the door, as we are shown to "our booth" immediately. The General Manager, Michael, has known us for years now and is quite an amazing guy!
When we arrived at Ruth's Chris, we were promptly greeted by Michael, (he knew I would be leaving again for Australia, and this would be my last trip to Ruth's Chris until at least April 2009) so he was ever so gracious with his words! Michael escorted us to our booth, and we sat down. Michael was holding the dinner and wine menus and said to the two of us "Well, I have bad news, the corporate office completely changed the menu again, and we no longer carry the Spring Salad, Barbeque Shrimp or Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake! I can't even order the ingredients for the salad". Mark and I were very surprised.
Michael said, "Take a look at the menu; there are some new items that I think you will really like". He handed both Mark and I the menu, and upon opening it, the entire left side of the menu (where the Chef typically lists his "specials") was customized, and it said in BIG letters: "Kate, Will You Marry Me?" ...I was completely shocked!!! I looked at Mark and said "OMG, Babe!". Mark scooted out of the booth, came over to me, got down on on knee and said "Are you ready to spend the rest of our lives together?" (at this point I felt my chin start to quiver) and I immediately said "YES"!!! I kissed and hugged him! He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small, black box, opened it and once again, I was completely shocked! He took the ring out of the box and put it on my finger! It was absolutely stunning! He did such an amazing job; he never asked me anything, though I always preferred it that way; I wanted it to be what he picked for me! I couldn't stop smiling, my cheeks were actually sore!
One of our Best friend's actually works at Ruth's Chris and was able to witness the entire proposal, as well as capture the "down on one knee" photo! It is a photo I will alway cherish!
Once the reality of what just happened sunk in, I looked at the menu again, and saw there was even further customization. The top of the menu said "December 26, 2008: Chef Features the Engagment of Kate & Mark"; at the bottom of the menu, there was a very sweet note from the staff at Ruth's Chris wishing us all the best!
Michael came to our table with a bottle of Dom Perignon, and two special Dom Perignon champagne flutes (which I plan to use at our wedding); he also came over with a whole bag of Ruth's Chris items (for the special occassion); we were given hats, t-shirts, a RC bottle opener, a RC cigar cutter, a RC table cleaner, and of course, Michael told me that the menu was mine to keep!
Mark planned everything perfectly; he had purchased the ring before I even came home from Australia (in November) and had planned the RC menu idea weeks ahead of time. He coordinated with Michael (who wasn't even supposed to come in that night; after the proposal he (and his wife - who came to watch) left, as they had plans for the evening). We were leaving the next day for a wonderful vacation to St. Lucia, so it became our "Engagementmoon"!
December 26, 2008 was, hands down, the GREATEST night of my life!!!
Engagement Night Photos
