From Poison Ivy to Golden Branches

"It’s a bit cliché, but his eyes were the first thing I noticed about him. We shared the same friends and teachers in college, but somehow, we were never in the same class. Our first official meeting happened in the school cafeteria, and I braced myself for the inevitable reaction to my name, “Candee.” Instead of the expected joke or raised eyebrow, he simply smiled and said, “That’s a sweet name.” That single moment made me wonder if there was something truly different about him—oh and those eyes of course.

A few days later, he asked me out. I turned him down. I liked him—of course I did—but I had a laundry list of reasons why starting a relationship didn’t make sense. I was transferring to a university, didn’t have a car, and was likely moving out of state. He listened patiently, then had an answer for every concern: He had a car and promised to visit me. He just didn’t want me to “squash” something before it even started. Reluctantly, I agreed to one date and we just never really stopped dating.

Over ten years, life threw us challenges, each one teaching us to grow together, trust one another, and build the kind of foundation every great partnership needs. For example, our schedules were so demanding that our time together was limited to just Fridays or at worst once a month for the first couple years of our relationship. Nevertheless, our love persisted which was a major reason we were confident going long distance for a year while I finished school - our bond of love had already been tried and tested in that way before.

So, when our anniversary trip to Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania arrived, I wasn’t entirely surprised by my growing suspicion that he might propose. He’s the type to keep things simple and although I love him dearly—he isn't much of a planner and proposing on our anniversary meant he wouldn’t have to remember a new date! There were other signs, too. For one, he was unusually fidgety, dropping his keys when he came around to open the car door for me. As we wandered the gardens, he made oddly staged remarks: “Look at that flower! Isn’t it pretty? Let’s stand over here…” Then there were the sudden, intense texting sessions followed by him glancing nervously around. When I finally asked, “Are you going to talk to me or just keep texting all day?” He panicked and suggested we keep walking. (I would discover later that there had been no preset garden location for the proposal.)

Things got even funnier when he suggested we sit on a secluded log-turned-bench—only to realize it was surrounded by poison ivy. As someone wearing sandals, I drew the line there. I wasn’t starting our life together covered in a rash. While I was amused, the awkwardness hit a high point when I caught sight of a mysterious figure dressed in black quickly approaching and then doing a 180 on the trail behind us. Hmmm...Eventually, we made it to the conservatory. After a few photos, he tried to coax me back into the frame for more, but I waved him off, saying I’d wait my turn again.

Clearly flustered, he pulled me aside, dropped to one knee, and pulled out a box. He began, “We’ve known each other for some time…” but I don’t remember the rest. I was too excited, saying yes before trying to put the ring on myself. Then I paused, laughing, and said, “Wait! You’re supposed to do that part." While we fumbled around with the ring, his best friend (and future best man) hopped out of the shrubbery and was revealed to be the “mysterious” figure dressed in black. He’d been following us for hours, waiting for Bryan to propose. Me too."

Since their engagement, Candee and Bryan's wedding planning has been in full swing for their upcoming October celebration, but along the way they decided to make their journey to the altar even more special. In early April, the couple filed for their marriage license—on the same day as their anniversary and Bryan’s proposal. As Candee said, "I have to admit, I agree with Bryan: it’s just easier to remember that way!"

"Recently, we took another exciting step and chose our wedding bands at InBloom, each one a perfect symbol of our love and the journey we’ve shared. My wedding band was custom-designed to complement my engagement ring, a stunning light blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds that Bryan chose because it reminded him of my eyes. The InBloom vintage-inspired band, with its delicate detailing, perfectly frames the center stone and feels timeless and elegant. For Bryan, I knew he’d want something as unique and full of character as he is. With the help of the wonderful staff at InBloom, he chose a white gold band to match mine but with an open branch design. It’s organic, slightly unconventional, and just so perfectly him.

This entire experience—from the surprise proposal to picking out our rings for our wedding day—has been a wild, funny, and deeply meaningful ride. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you InBloom for helping us create these beautiful rings to commemorate our love story."

-Candee and Bryan Williams