Meet the cute(s)

William, born in Eeklo, Belgium, on June 30th, 1994.  (written by Abigail)

William is a social introvert whose intelligence and emotional awareness make him a loyal and trusted friend. Thoughtful and patient, he naturally takes on the role of mediator, diffusing conflict without even realizing it. He is an excellent problem solver and is able to manage complex strategic tasks. William loves to chill and relax but is also a sporter (which balances his love of beer). His loyalty and kindness create a warm, welcoming environment where others feel safe and valued.

Abigail, born in Edina, Minnesota, US, on December 16th, 1993.  (written by William)

Abigail is a creative whirlwind, always busy perfecting her latest lacing project or dreaming up new crafty ideas. When she’s not tying knots, she’s channeling her inner house cat, stretching dramatically, purring for cuddles, and hunting for snacks. With an unstoppable ambition and a heart bigger than any yarn stash, she’s always planning our future adventures. There’s never a dull moment with her curiosity, productivity, and playful energy lighting up our days.

The Proposal Story

By William

The Proposal: A Sunrise to Remember

The plan was simple: a sunrise hike on Little Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka. The execution, however, was months in the making—full of nerves, secrecy, and help from family and friends. Abigail thought we were there to celebrate my birthday, but in reality, this trip was all a carefully orchestrated plan leading to the moment I would ask her to marry me.

It all began in January when I called Augustin (groomsman, see Wedding Party) with a question that had been weighing on my mind: “How do you know if you’re ready to marry someone?” True to form, his answer was both simple and profound: “Do you love her? Do you want to be with her tomorrow? Do you want to be with her the day after that? If yes, then marry her. But remember, EVERYTHING is part of the story—your doubts, your preparation, even this phone call. Enjoy it all.”

With my mind made up, the next step was finding the perfect ring. I scoured jewelry stores in Belgium but couldn’t find anything that felt right. Then I stumbled upon a design in an American jewelry store and knew instantly it was the one. The only problem? Import taxes that made my wallet cry. That’s when I remembered Abigail’s family—Dawn, Gene, and Andrew—would be visiting Belgium for Easter.

The plan was set, but timing was everything. The ring had to arrive at their house in the U.S. before their trip. I placed the order, racing against the clock, and then made another call—this time to Gene, Abigail’s father. “So... a ring is on its way to your house,” I began nervously. “If you give me your blessing, please bring it with you to Belgium. If not, just return it to the sender so I can get my money back!”

Gene laughed and assured me he had seen how happy I made Abigail. “You have my blessing,” he said warmly, and a few weeks later, the ring arrived at his doorstep. During their visit to Belgium, Gene and Dawn secretly handed me the package, and I hid it away in our apartment, trying to act as if I wasn’t carrying the most important secret of my life.

A Sunrise and a Question

Fast forward to Sri Lanka. Abigail and I were traveling with my brother Edward (best man, see Wedding Party) and his now fiancée Sarah (bridesmaid, see Wedding Party), who were in the middle of their own round-the-world trip. From the moment we arrived, Edward and Sarah were my co-conspirators. I talked with them about when to ask, how to ask, and—most importantly—how to keep Abigail from figuring out what I was up to. They were there through it all, reassuring me when my nerves got the better of me and encouraging me to make the moment unforgettable.

We had been traveling for three weeks, and every night, I practiced what I was going to say. By the time we reached Little Adam’s Peak for a sunrise hike, my nerves were in overdrive. Abigail wasn’t thrilled about the 3 a.m. wake-up call, and I wasn’t about to propose to a grumpy version of her. As we climbed, I cautiously asked how she was feeling. “Starting to enjoy it,” she replied with a smile. That was all the encouragement I needed.

The first peak we reached was beautiful but crowded—not the intimate moment I had envisioned. Just as I was debating what to do, we spotted someone heading to a quieter peak nearby. Following his lead, we found a perfect, secluded spot with a breathtaking view. The one other person there graciously moved away when the moment came, giving us the privacy to make it unforgettable.

Standing there in the golden light of sunrise, I finally let the words flow. I told Abigail about the three things I strive for in life: health, wealth, and happiness—and how she had been the driving force behind all of them. Then, borrowing from our shared love for the anime series "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood", I said, “I want to call upon the law of equivalent exchange: I’ll give you half of my life if you give me half of yours—will you m... "

Before I could even finish the question, Abigail, with tears in her eyes, said, “Yes,” and then started crying out of happiness. It was the most beautiful, imperfect, perfect moment. (I afterwards did make sure that she knew what the question was and what she had said yes to, to avoid any miscommunication.)

A Celebration to Remember

That evening, Edward and Sarah had one more surprise up their sleeves. They booked a beautiful restaurant for the four of us, where we celebrated with champagne. At their request, the live musician serenaded us with a special song, adding the perfect touch to a day I’ll never forget.

Looking back, this proposal wasn’t just about the sunrise or the words I said—it was about the people who supported me every step of the way, the love I felt in that moment, and the joy of knowing Abigail had said yes to a lifetime together.