Central Park in the spring is full of romance. I met Emily and John in the heart of the park to enjoy some favorite scenic locations: Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, and the enchanting cherry blossoms. My favorite cherry blossom location is along the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, featuring a gorgeous canopy along the west side on the Bridle Path.

The terrace is so iconic that everytime I am lucky enough to photograph it I feel like I am part of a romantic indie film.

The couple met through friends in Los Angeles in February of 2022. Emily shares, “I had moved to L.A. about 3 or 4 months before and I was very open to meeting people and I was saying yes to everything. One of my friends through work asked me if I wanted to go to trivia at O’Brien’s pub down the street in Santa Monica. This is the kind of trivia that has multiple Jeopardy winners – so very difficult! There were about 6 or 7 girls and John (who actually came with his girlfriend at the time). I remember thinking that he was really smart and generous. He left before they announced the winners and I was thinking, wow, we only won because of him. We talked once more at the next group hang, but then I didn’t see him until a few months later at a birthday party July 30th.

I arrived later and I could tell he was taking an interest in me. He was somewhat newly single and when I walked in he introduced himself to me. I didn’t think he remembered who I was because we met so briefly months before and I had straightened my hair for this party so I said, “I’m Emily. We met before, but I had curly hair then so I look different – sometimes it’s straight and sometimes it’s curly.” John loves to quote that (he prefers my curly hair btw!).”

John adds, “When I first saw her at the birthday party that July, I remember feeling embarrassed at not recognizing her with straight hair! But after talking to her for a few minutes, I quickly realized she was special because we had such great, natural chemistry. We spent the whole night just talking to each other!” 

Their first date was about a week after they reconnected at the birthday party. John continues, “I picked Emily up from her place after work, and we went to a nice spot in the Pacific Palisades to watch the sunset. The weather was really nice and warm that night, so after the sun set, we took a long walk around the neighborhood and went to my favorite pizza place for dinner. Emily was still pretty new to L.A. then, so it was really fun to share all my favorite activities and places with her! We went on a lot of great hikes and took fun day trips to different beaches (in Malibu, Laguna, Santa Barbara, etc.).”

Emily continues, “Our first trip together was to Napa in November after about three months of dating. This was a big group trip with mutual friends (the trivia group), but we took a 7-hour drive up the coast to get there, just the two of us.

That weekend after some wine, and at our third winery, we had a very emotional conversation and moment together away from the group under a tree. We both looked at each other and realized wait, are we going to marry each other?

John put his family signet ring on my middle finger. In a way, that was as emotional as my engagement. We took our first real photos as a couple that day. I still use one as my phone background.”

The proposal had an unexpected twist, but ended up being perfect. They went to Nyack on the Hudson River to enjoy a day out of the city. They went to breakfast and walked around the town before going on a hike. John shares, “I had originally planned to propose to her on our hike earlier in the day, but the weather turned cloudy, and there was a birdwatcher at the top of the hill, so it didn’t feel like the right time. I didn’t have a backup plan, so I was super nervous! Fortunately, by the time we went to dinner, the weather had cleared, and there was a scenic park near the restaurant overlooking the Hudson. No one was there, so it was a really nice and private setting to propose to her.

Proposing on the hike would have been great, but I’m really happy things turned out the way they did. We saw a sunset overlooking the water on our first date, so it was pretty special to have everything come full circle.”

Emily adds, “We had dinner at Red Hat on the River that night before our friends and family knew it actually happened. It was nice to have that moment with just the two of us!”

 

John went to Columbia Law School and after two years of long distance, Emily joined John back on the East Coast, where her family also lives.

Emily shares, “I am originally from Boston and my parents and brother are in New York now so, of course, it made sense to take the next step and move back to the East Coast.

NYC was really the next step in our relationship where we have been able to grow together and John has been able to get closer to my family.

Both of our fathers are from New York and my dad proposed to my mom on a carriage ride through Central Park.

We both love walking and exploring. Central Park really is the best for that. There is so much history and beauty, and cherry blossom season – it’s iconic!”

John shares. “I love how supportive Emily is and how well she understands me. She always seems to know exactly how I’m feeling by my tone of voice and always knows how to make me happy!”

Emily shares, “I love how supportive and understanding John is and he loves me for me. I know I can always count on him to show up for me (and on time). We make each other better.”

 

They are still at the beginning stages of wedding planning, but are thinking Spring 2027 in Southern California. Emily shares, “We are hoping we can incorporate an indoor/outdoor romantic and more intimate small to medium wedding. I love music and am excited to dance and have a great time celebrating with our families and friends!”

Happy engagement Emily and John!

Congratulations to the couple!