Ted and Mandy met at the Claremont Colleges in Southern California (Mandy went to Scripps College and Ted went to Pomona College). They met freshman year and went on their first date right before the end of the school year.
Summer break took them home to different states. They wanted to stay in contact, so they began chatting over a facebook …and ended up consistently writing to each other until they returned to campus that Fall. Having to be apart for 3 months right after such a great first date was frustrating. Looking back, they realize it allowed them to build a strong connection before college started again in the Fall. One of the best (and cutest) stories they told me is they read the last Harry Potter book together while in different states and texted back and forth to see where the other was – so they could finish it together! Towards the end of the book they even stayed up all night so they could finished together around 7 AM! Once back on campus, the beginning of their sophomore year, they soon became “FB official”, and thus was the birth of what their friends now call “Manted”!
Ted planned an elaborate proposal over a college reunion weekend in California. He contacted several of Mandy’s close friends and her twin sister. He made sure they would all attend the reunion, as well coordinating the logistics for them getting Mandy to a specific location at a specific time.
Once all the girls arrived for the weekend, they set out to explore campus and catch up on some much needed girl gossip. As they were walking though campus, they approached Mandy’s favorite spot– an enclosed Mediterranean style garden with a fountain. Her sister casually asked her what was going on in the courtyard and Mandy, still unaware of the situation, said “i dunno”… after which her sister kind of shoved her inside the garden.
It was at that point that Mandy realized what was happening. Ted, all dressed up, was standing in the middle of the courtyard in front of the fountain. Big smile on his face. There were rose petals on the ground leading toward where he was standing, and a piece of music that Mandy had composed for Ted was playing in the background. It was happening.
The proposal went perfectly. They were both shaking from the emotions and adrenaline, and Mandy was in disbelief that he had pulled it off without her knowing AND coordinated so many special people to be present. She was over the moon excited and having her close friends by her side to witness the whole thing made it all the more special.
Mandy and Ted will be married this Fall at the beautiful Royal Palms Resort. The talented girls at Imoni Events are working hard to make the day flawless and I cant wait to share those photos in just a few short months!
