A day at the spa turned into an epic scavenger hunt around the city to find her, now fiance, down on one knee asking, will you marry me? Liz and Steph’s proposal story is one that will make your heart burst.

Words by Liz

February 19th, 2017. That day will forever be ingrained in my heart!

But really it all started two months before that magical day. Sam, a friend of mine, texted me asking me to book off February 19th so the two of us could go to the spa. I had never been to a spa before and so, I was very excited. Each day leading up to the day I got more excited! I told everyone I knew about my upcoming spa day and counted down each day with enthusiasm.

Sam came to pick me up. I was still running around gathering things when Sam arrived. As I dashed around the house, I was throwing questions at Sam. I remember asking ”should I be eating something or will there be snacks at the spa?”. Then I realised it was much later than we had intended to leave so I said “It’s getting quite late should I be ordering a cab?”. Sam said not to worry but requested that we make a quick stop at the juice bar my sister works at on our way. I got my things together and we finally headed out the door.

As requested we stopped at the juice bar to get a fresh start to our afternoon. I chose my juice and went up to pay with my sister, who happened to be on the cash. I started to pull my wallet out, but my sister handed me an envelope saying not to worry that it was already paid for. I took the envelope and thanked her. I opened the envelope as I walked out the door thinking “isn’t this my lucky day that my sister gave me a free coupon for a juice!!”.

As I started to pull the card out of the envelope, my heart stopped. This is what I read:

“Alright, you….time for an adventure!!! It’s going to be a long day, but I’m sure the wonderful Sam will be able to help you out! I’ve provided a day pass for the TTC (Toronto Transit) as it’s going to be quite the journey but I’m sure you’re more than up for it! Good luck and have fun!! This is your first clue of many…..”

I was shell-shocked. I turned to Sam and said, “oh no did Steph mess up our spa plans by planning this scavenger hunt on the same day??”

Sam laughed and then told me that “We’ll go to the spa one day but today was never going to be the day. Steph asked me to help her make sure you saved this day because she had a belated Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt planned for you!” My jaw dropped.

I smiled real big and turned my attention back to the note. The rest of the note read:

“It’s where I moved to be with you, the place you’ll always call home. With a red door and stair chats galore, and a backyard for Tuxi cat to roam”.

My eyes started to water as I realised I was going to visit the first home we had lived in together.

Sam and I walked up the hill chatting, but my anxiety had started. We finally made it to that wonderful home with the red door! I looked in the mailbox and found the next clue. This next one sent us to one of our favourite places to go out dancing. Once we arrived there, there was a little envelope waiting.

This time it told us to go to the first place Steph ever worked. Once at Steph’s work her co-worker greeted us with a big smile and another envelope! Our next clue took us to our favourite vegetarian restaurant where waiting on the take-out counter was our food pre-packaged and pre-paid. Right on the front of that take out bag was another envelope!

As I opened that envelope, I started to get nervous. I could feel something big was coming but I was still trying to process it all. I pulled out the clue and on to the next place we went! This time the clue took us to a boardgame shop where Steph and I first went right before I asked her out on our first date.

We walked into that familiar room lined with board games on the walls and competitive energy in the air. Sam pulled out her phone, pulled up a video and handed me headphones. I put them in and smiled through tears as one of my best friends and her dog pop up in video form. She read me the next clue telling us that next we’ll be going to our favourite burrito bar!

Steph and I have frequented this particular place more times than I can count. I love their burritos and have never been known to turn one down. BUT as we began our walk there I started to get nervous, too nervous! I turned to Sam and said “I’m so anxious that for the first time ever I may not be able to eat my burrito”. She smiled at me and said “I bet! It’s something special to have a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt planned for you!!” Off we went to the Burrito store and I managed to get down a very small burrito as we chatted. We also received another clue telling us we would be travelling back to the place Steph and I first met.

The nervous excitement was building. Both Anne and I were feeling pretty drained from all the emotions and city walking! But off we walked to the next location chatting nervously along the way.

We got into the cosy bar and were immediately directed to the library corner where there were many shelves of books. We earned this clue by having to search through many a book before finally hitting the right one! This clue told us to go to a brewery that we had first tried to go to on our first date. I remember how that first night we stood together drinking beers and getting to know each other.

I was filled with nervous, excited energy and now years later I was standing outside that same building feeling those same feelings. As we stopped and stood outside the dimly lit brick building Sam pulled out her phone and I heard a beeping sound. Sam spun the phone around to face me, and there was my friend’s face (all the way from Boston) smiling back at me. She told me she would be reading me my last clue! After a quick chat she gave us the clue. It sent us down to the waterfront where my surprise would apparently be waiting.

Sam and I began to walk faster knowing the end was near. As we walked I thought back to Steph and I’s first date that ended down by this same waterfront where we sat and admired the colourfully lit CN Tower.

As we got closer I saw the back of Steph’s head. I got butterflies. Sam smiled at me and said, “we can do this!!” I walked towards Steph and Sam drifted off into the darkness.

Steph turned and I immediately began to cry. She smiled at me and said “how was your day? What did you do?” I laughed and replied, “I think you know!!!”. We talked for a few moments more (I think she was kindly trying to give me time to stop crying). Then she got down on one knee, reached into her pocket and pulled out a beautiful, wooden, handmade box. She opened it as she smiled up at me and said: “will you marry me??”. I looked down at her with love and then my eyes fell on the ring.

I shook my head up and down like crazy. “Yes, I will marry you!!” Steph stood up and looked behind her yelling “ok guys you can come out now!! She said yes!” Out from behind trees came all our closest friends. I cried and was immediately surrounded by hugs from so many of my favourite people.

We ended the night at a bar where we all drank champagne and celebrated.

It was a day filled with pure magic from beginning to end. I will forever be grateful for the beautiful girl I get to spend my life with and the night that started our forever!

Photography Jennifer See Studios