The Big Ask

So last June Wifey and I traveled to NYC to attend a big NJ wedding -- D2's boyfriend Jonathan's sister Eva was marrying the man she met in Israel, Yoni. It was a lovely party, at an old estate in Livingston, and near the end of the evening Jonathan approached me.

Could Wifey and I make plans to return to NYC in December, for a special reason?  Why -- I asked him -- we typically don't enjoy the City in the cold weather, and had already seen the Rocketts and the Rockefeller tree more times than we cared to count. No, he said, it was because he wished to ask our precious D2 to marry him, in a surprise proposal.

We were thrilled, but also convinced his surprise couldn't happen. D2, like her father, notices if someone moves her coffee cup 1/2 inch on a table. It seemed highly unlikely Jonathan could keep this mission a secret for half a year.

He came to Miami to "visit his parents," but actually to buy the ring from our family friend Derek -- under the close supervision of D1. Jonathan's parents and Wifey and I had a secret celebratory dinner at Capital Grille, where Lizbeth shared some photos of Jonathan as a child which Wifey mistakenly forwarded to D2. Still, D2 remained in the dark.

Last month, Barry and Donna attended a Bat Mitzvah for our friend Stuart's girl. We ran into Jonathan's mom and grandmother Judy at the shul. Judy is the true family matriarch -- she would be hosting the dinner after the big ask. She invited Donna and Barry to attend. I told Barry not to make a special trip, but he decided they were indeed going. He reminded me that he always wanted daughters, and the Ds are his, too.

Later, Wifey told BFF Edna about the trip. Well, if Barry were coming, she was, too, and so made plans. Paul and Patricia always go to the City to visit Tracy -- Paul's girl, and her family. We asked Judy -- of course they could come as well, she said.

So Friday, after what seemed like longer than 6 months, Wifey and I Ubered to MIA. Sure enough, Jonathan's family was on our flight, along with Judge David, one of my favorite local jurists. I told him we were staying at the Gramercy Park Hotel -- he married his husband Scott there.

We checked in and left for Broadway. D2 had no idea we were in her city -- staying blocks away. I scored some tickets to "Dear Evan Hansen" by taking out a mortgage on our house. But, it was worth it -- I'm a tough critic of Broadway musicals, and this one was Rogers and Hammerstein caliber -- wonderful tale, and gorgeous music.

And the weather was classic, crappy NY late Fall -- rainy and chilly. But we had expected that.

Saturday we had breakfast with Edna and Barry and Donna -- Marc slept in. And then we prepared for the big event.

The plan was Jonathan was going to tell D2 that he had a friend staying at the GP Hotel, which gave access to the private park. And then, he would walk over to the Rose Bar, where the guest would hide.

One problem: it was wet, and the private park closes -- fear of litigation. So via a series of frantic texts, Jonathan called an audible -- the ask would be at the public Washington Square Park near their apartment in Greenwich Village -- it doesn't close when the streets are wet.

We gathered in the bar, and learned that though it was to open at 2, no bartender showed. Paul stepped in -- getting aggressive with the concierge. Eventually three bottles of champagne were delivered -- I signed the bill for over $700, but new it would be compromised.

Paul and I also did something I'm thinking only drunk rock stars had done at the hotel -- we helped ourselves to alcohol from the empty bar. I poured Barry a glass of Japanese whiskey they'd have charged $60 for. It was deliciously mischievous, but the snooty incompetence of the overpriced hotel gave us justification.

And then in walked D2. She was beaming from getting asked. She was, indeed, shocked to see us all gathered there. Judy broke out into a mazel tov song. We all sang along.

D2 keeps her words concise, and emotions inside. Not Saturday. She beamed. She clutched her intended tightly. She had melted.

We popped the champagne and toasted. Jonathan welcomed us. I said how lucky our family was to blend with theirs. Judy, the queen, who has a background out of a movie (survived the Holocaust as a young girl by being hidden in a Czech convent) said that when she met D2 5  years ago, she knew the "exotic beauty" was her beloved grandson's besheret. 

We Ubered over to Pepe Giallo, an Italian place near Chelsea Market, and there was a private terrace room where we feasted. More friends were there. Old acquaintances became closer friends. It was delightful.

There was then an "after party" at the Tippler Bar, in Chelsea Market. It was another surprise -- more of D2 and Jonathan's friends were waiting. Jonathan brought us tequila shots -- my first taste of the devil's drink since an unfortunate incident at a Dolphins/Pats Monday night game in the mid 80s. I survived.

Yesterday am, Jonathan hosted a brunch at La Contenta, Spanish for the happy, which we all were. His brother and sister in law in from LA had to miss it for their flight home, but his sister Natalie and 2/3 of her adorable sons were there -- from Toronto. The boys like me -- I greeted them with "Go Leafs!", indeed their team.

We hugged goodbye on West 11th street in a cold rain, but with warmest of hearts. Jonathan and D2 were beaming.  There was preliminary talk of the wedding. It'll be smaller than the 300 person deal D1 had. But there's time for that in 2019.

Wifey and I flew home two happy, grateful parents. I reminded D2 that you don't get too many weekends like she had -- where people who love and adore you plan amazing events, to surprise and honor you, and to talk countless mental pictures.

She got it. So did we. I am one exceptionally lucky Daddy in the USA.