We traveled to Rome in 2017 and had our first coursed dinner overlooking the city at Hi-Res restaurant. We loved the food and view, and it was overall the most romantic place we had ever been. Years later, while planning our trip back, I made a birthday request to eat there again. Little did I know, Hunter had already booked the restaurant—it would be the place where he would ask me to be his wife. He never disappoints, and it wouldn’t have been the same if I hadn’t gotten to go where I wanted for my birthday.

We spent the day at the Vatican, where I said my prayers—for me, for him, for us, and for our families. I was a mess, as my suitcase hadn’t arrived with us for the first three days. Hunter had taken me shopping each day because I refused to believe it wasn’t going to show up. But he made sure I had something to wear for my birthday.

Just hours before our reservation, the lobby called, and my pink suitcase had arrived! Elated, I got ready for my birthday dinner. Hunter was all dressed up too, and while I wouldn’t say he was on edge, he was definitely more excited than he usually was for a dinner.

We headed to the Hi-Res restaurant in Rome. I saw his nerves kicked in—but I sat patiently waiting for the menu, but instead, the cued waitress brought a silver platter of aperitifs. When she lifted the cover, the ring was inside.