Nilan had a huge master plan to propose to Natalie. He was so sly and planned a trip with her to NYC, yes to visit her brother, and little did she know it was also to propose to her. She had actually pressured him into to going out there to follow-up on a potentially career venture.

Once they arrived, Nilan was adamant about taking a road trip with Natalie to Niagara Falls. That’s just about a 9 hour drive! She wasn’t into the idea – she never gets to see her brother, and there was a POLAR VORTEX headed toward Buffalo, NY – we’re from California, we could die. All signs pointed to “THIS IS NOT A GOOD PLAN”. So what did Nilan do? Booked two flights from NYC to Buffalo (a 1.5 hour trip). She was upset to take time away from being with her brother, but thought “OK, I guess he really wants to go!”

During the trip, Nilan had a meeting a few hours away so he drove while Natalie stayed in NYC to enjoy brunch at her brother’s restaurant. During brunch, and way too many hot toddy’s later, Natalie started to question Nick a little bit. She had noticed some strange secrecy going on between Nick and Nilan before the trip had even started. They were all of a sudden BFF’s messaging each other on Facebook.

Here’s the dialogue between Nick and Natalie after the cocktails-

Natalie: What’s going on?

Nick: What do you mean?

Natalie: Is Nilan going to propose?

Nick: If Nilan was going to propose, I would cry!

Natalie: Is he getting me a puppy?

Nick: Maybe…

Natalie: Well IDK what the hell is going on but I’m going to get my nails done! – Natalie leaves and does just that.

Natalie and Nilan met up later that day, and packed for their overnight trip.

At the airport…

Natalie was already a little nervous about the trip – there was some really bad weather headed in the direction of their direction… not good. They went to check in when Nilan suddenly realized that he booked the wrong flight to Niagara Falls – he nearly had tears in his eyes because it’s not cheap to change your flight… Natalie walked away thinking “This is a sign for us not to go”… Nilan worked some magic and had the flights changed.

Niagara Falls –

So beautiful! It was lightly snowing the entire time. We were freezing but it was so worth it. Sometimes Nilan really wants to have special experiences ‘just because’, so Natalie thought this was one of those things – to basque in the glory of the falls.

After a day of still being jet-lagged and on Cali time, they finally hit the hotel room. The room was gorgeous! There was an entire wall of windows from ceiling to floor over looking the falls. Beautiful! They could watch the snow fall… They napped, then Natalie got a call from her family.

The phone call:

Norma: Hey Nat! What are you doing? (in an awkward voice)

Natalie: Ummm, napping and enjoying the awesome view.

Norma: Anything else to report?

Natalie: Uhhhhh, no…

It was just weird…

After the call….

Nilan seemed to be a little nervous about something, which is completely out of character for him. After Natalie prodded about his current demeanor, Nilan asked her to stand by the window. She gave him a skeptical look, but willingly followed his strange request. She had her back to him and heard shuffling then a “click”. The entire time, during this interaction, she thought he was going to have a picture of a puppy – no joke! Of course, we all know how this ends or begins rather 😉

Then he told her the entire story. Nilan asked Natalie’s siblings first, and asked them to help him not only keep it a secret, but to plan it. This explains all the secrecy! Also, the day they left for NYC he visited her parents while she was at work that morning to ask them for her hand in marriage. Ok, now Natalie knows why her mom strangely called her just a few moments before that…

Natalie calls her family…

Norma: You’re on speaker!

Natalie: Hi guys! (Literally everyone was over her house).

Family: Hey Nat!

Natalie: THE JIG IS UP!!!

Family: LAUGHING THEIR BUTTS OFF!

Of course there’s more to be said about this proposal but it was one of the most memorable and happiest moments of Nilan and Natalie’s lives. They are so excited to start their lives together and to make beautiful grandchildren for their parents!