I attended the wedding as my friend Vickie’s guest, but other than her I didn’t know a soul in the room. I sat across from a nice couple at the reception. I didn’t know them, they didn’t know me, but we talked anyway. I admired their friendship and relationship. They seemed like such a perfect fit.
Who could’ve guessed we were destined to be great friends? Countless game nights, miles and miles spent traveling on I-35, I-30, I-20, I-75 to Fort Worth, Denton, Dallas, Austin and the in-between (and four memory-filled years later) here we are. Close friends. They are people who make me happy when I’m around them. People who make me feel like the best person I can be. Amanda and Chris are the kind of people who offer the best advice and those I can always trust.
So, you can imagine when Chris asked me if I would help him propose to Amanda on July 2nd, I was beyond ecstatic. I couldn’t wait to be part of such an exciting event and honored he wanted me to be there.
The week leading up to July 2nd was a bit of a blur. Busy at work, my days were filled taking care of responsibilities in anticipation of being out of town. However, my week was also spent lying. Amanda and I communicate via email or text message daily, so keeping Saturday’s activities a secret from her was particularly challenging. Chris’s plan was to send Amanda on a scavenger hunt around Dallas before proposing, but we needed a starting point.
Using my visit as an excuse, I was responsible for getting her to commit to a brunch date and show up on time. For what was supposedly a casual outing with a friend, sticking to a strict schedule was definitely not going to be easy. Ladies – how many of you would probably show up to brunch with a close girlfriend with your hair in a ponytail and wearing old yoga pants? I’m going to guess many of you. So, as a woman who would want to look her best when proposed to, I lied to Amanda and asked her to pose for my photography portfolio to ensure she did her hair, makeup and wore a cute outfit. After a lot of convincing (and more lying), she agreed.
I arrived in Dallas and we went straight to brunch. Prepared for the “photo shoot,” Amanda looked great. She looked so great I almost thought she knew what was going on. Chris followed us, calling the restaurant and met the manager outside to pay for our meal in advance. I had the envelope containing the first clue in my camera bag, and the first chance I got I smuggled it into the back kitchen to give to our waiter.
I approached him and said, “My friend is getting proposed to today and this envelope is the first step of the process. Can you please give it to her by 12:25pm?” He happily agreed and I returned to the table, trying my hardest to have a normal conversation, enjoy my food and not be a clock watcher. Soon enough, 12:25 came around and the envelope was presented to Amanda. I couldn’t help it, I turned bright red and looked down at the table. Sort of in a confused state of shock, Amanda demanded, “Katie Shagman! What do you know?” It only took a few minutes for her to realize what this was all about and we both started crying a little bit. I’ll never forget that moment.
We read the first clue which directed us to a nail salon for complimentary manicures and pedicures, courtesy of Chris (thanks again!) It was wonderful, but took forever, so we were unable to hit the next few spots in the scavenger hunt. We went straight to the Meyerson Symphony Center in the Downtown Dallas Arts District where Chris met us and guided Amanda to a private theater. There, Ryan (Chris and Amanda’s good friend) played acoustic guitar as Chris sang Amanda a song. Up until this point I had no clue Chris could sing so well! Immediately following the song, he got down on one knee and proposed.
She said yes.
Chris gave Amanda an incredible engagement ring. It’s a band with diamonds all the way around, called an eternity band, and is so perfect for her. Although Chris had the Meyerson reserved for the proposal, there was a time limit and we had to leave pretty promptly. We left as a group and retreated to the Rosewood Mansion for celebratory drinks and amazing appetizers.
While I didn’t document the majority of the day (I was too busy living in the moment), we did steal away at the end for a couple pictures of the newly engaged couple.
My favorite part about this entire process is that through all the lying, scheming and galavanting around town, Amanda really had no idea she was about to be proposed to. Chris and I really pulled it off! 
Chris & Amanda: I couldn’t be happier for the two of you. You’re wonderful people as individuals and you’re even better together. I’m so excited for your wedding next summer and look forward to making many more wonderful memories.
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