When the pair moved in together last year, he bought her a wicker picnic basket as a housewarming gift, and they used it every chance they got!  So when it came time for him to pop the question, he knew it would be the best place in Chicago to propose— private, scenic and meaningful to them both!

How They Met:

The happy couple met back in 2007 as new members in a business organization at the University of Illinois.  Mickey was a sophomore, and Jackie was a freshman, and the instant she walked into the room, he was captivated.

They became friends and the next year, she sought out Mickey as an accounting tutor.  He says despite having to work with quite a few students, he would always tend to gravitate towards Jackie and she would often dismiss the other tutors in favor of him.  Their friendship continued to progress until Jackie’s senior year when she was taking a semester to travel abroad.  Although she didn’t know it at the time, Mickey was about to ask her out until he learned about the trip.

The pair fell out of touch for a few years before crossing paths.  This time, Mickey asked her out to dinner and the rest was history!

As they spent time together, it became apparent that even after being apart for several years, they still shared the same sense of humor!

“Not a day goes by without us breaking down into some type of laughing fit!” Mickey gushed.  “From terribly awkward reality television to silly impressions or inside jokes, we find the humor in everything possible!”

How They Knew:

For Mickey, the realization that he had found The One became apparent one night while they were at home watching a movie.  He thought about their future together, how compatible they were, and how he could see himself relaxing on the couch with Jackie one or fifty years from now.

For Jackie, it was when she introduced Mickey to her family and saw how well he fit in that she knew.  That day, she told her dad through a giggling smile that she had found The One!

The Proposal:

Mickey’s thoughtful proposal contained many elements that made it unique to the two of them— and Paparazzi Proposals was able to discreetly capture the whole proposal day with surprise engagement photography!

Mickey filled us in on the behind-the-scenes prep, involving their friends and family!

Mickey’s brother Richie picked out an incredible bottle of Dom Rose and arranged to have it engraved with a special message and the date of their engagement by their dear friend Mike, a glass-blowing teacher at New Trier.  He also picked up a bouquet of flowers from Flora, their favorite flower shop, and drove the two items to a restaurant where they met up with friends and family after their post-proposal portrait session.

When Mickey told Jackie’s sister Brittany that he was going to propose, she helped him with picking out the perfect ring, acting as a liaison between Mickey and Jackie to find out her preferred style while still keeping his proposal plans secret!

Mickey decided on this stunning design, a custom ring from Ethan Lord!

View more photos of their big day in their full proposal slideshow.

Ready to plan and capture your own incredible proposal? Paparazzi Proposals specializes in taking the stress out of your engagement!  Contact us today for a free consultation.  With hundreds of engagements planned and photographed nationwide each year, there’s no proposal idea we haven’t heard of!

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