Where it all started…

The way we tell it to our parents and some adults, we met through some friends, which is still true! But many of you also know that this isn’t the full story.

Will: On that Thursday night, I was out with a few Swedish friends, and they convinced me to go to Smalls (the bar in the picture). Once we sat down, I spotted Anton across the bar. I remember thinking, *small arms, but definitely my kind of energy*. I asked a friend who knew him to bring him over to our table.

Anton: That Thursday night, I was at Smalls, like usual, when I saw a Swedish friend walk in with a small group. She mentioned she was with a Swedish couple and some other friends, and asked me to come say hi. I told her I’d be over in a bit. A little later, she came up and said, “You’re requested at the table.” I thought, *of course, the couple wants to meet me*, so I walked over. I shook their hands, and then... nothing. They just carried on talking, barely even noticing me.

Confused, I turned and saw a small Asian girl looking at me, signaling that the chair next to her was free. I sat down, thinking I’d try to talk to her. But instead, she started interrogating me. I wasn’t sure where all the "aggression" was coming from, but I answered every question. After a bit, she casually said, “I’m leaving in 5 minutes.” Then, a little later, “I’m leaving soon.” Finally, she blurted, “I’m leaving now. Are you going to take my number or what?”

I handed her my phone, and she added her number. Then, with a straight face, she said, “You’re walking me out to my cab and asking me out for a date. I’m free Sunday for lunch at Sarnies.”, which I did!

I, of course, convinced her to meet Friday night and Saturday before our Sunday lunch. And since then, we’ve been inseparable.

The proposal started a few days before it actually happened in Japan. Anton may have texted Will’s dad telling him that he would propose to Will in a few days during the trip in Japan. Will found out about the proposal as her dad copy-pasted the text to her!

Will: “On the day of the proposal, I had plans to go shopping post our lunch. Although I was quite quick to choose and pay for my item, tax refund took a while. Anton was agitated; he was pacing around the store in a circle, as if we didn’t have money to pay. As time past, we realized we could not make it to our next plan. Anton quickly suggested that we go to this park instead. It was one of the few things he proposed us to this trip so I obviously said yes.”

Anton: We were heading to Japan, and I'm not usually the type to have strong opinions on what we should do. I had arranged for a photographer to help with the proposal and picked the location with their help. We had set a date and time, but I ran into a huge problem: how was I going to get Will to the spot without her catching on? I couldn’t just suggest a random park inside a hotel without her figuring something was up.

We had made plans for the day, but those fell apart, which I secretly thought was great. I suggested the park, thinking it was close enough to work. Will agreed and even asked if we could go shopping first, which I said yes to—without realizing I was, as usual, underestimating Will's love for shopping. I was stressing out, thinking we’d be late, but we eventually managed to leave.

Just when I thought we might make it in time, Will needed to use the bathroom. While I waited outside, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was taking way too long. My brain started racing—what if she figured it out and was calling her friends to ask how she should say no? After what felt like forever, she came out, smiling when she saw me.

We made our way to the park, where I saw the photographer and his assistant removing a stick that was blocking access to the rock where I’d planned to propose. I suggested we take a photo of Will standing on the rock, which turned out great.

Will asked for a selfie, but I was so nervous that she complained I looked sick in the pictures. I quickly adjusted her position on the rock, pushing her a bit too aggressively, then dragging her back to the exact spot before dropping to one knee. Before I could even finish my second sentence, she blurted out, “Of course I want to marry you!”

Right then, a park employee came rushing over, shouting, “YOU CAN’T BE HERE!” and started to kick us out. If it wasn’t for Will’s quick answer, the whole proposal would’ve been ruined by him.

Afterwards, we went to a bar to celebrate, and I had to give her my speech there instead.