Eryn Prince & Chris Mason

“When you realize you want to spend
the rest of your life with somebody,
you want the rest of your life
to start as soon as possible.”

New York City was a huge surprise, in the best way possible. Chris has the kindest and most giving heart I have ever known, so he’s always surprising me with things like a bouquet of flowers on a random Tuesday just because. He’s the kind of guy that you think would only exist in RomComs; handsome, hilarious and kind seems like a tall order for the real world, but in a way, he’s turned my whole life into a fairytale.

When he surprised me with this special trip to NYC for our second anniversary I was so excited. It is of course the setting for my favourite movie (When Harry Met Sally), and I jokingly questioned if he was trying to make up for the fact that he fell asleep during the BEST PART.

I remember running through the airport when our gate was changed and laughing the whole time thinking that we must look so silly, but not caring at all in that moment. He makes all the little moments special, even getting us a sweet first class upgrade on our way there.

Arriving in New York we were met with sweltering heat, but obviously nothing could dampen our moods. We spent the rest of the day wandering Central Park, having dinner at the famous BoatHouse restaurant where Sally has lunch with her girlfriends and (on my part) being absolutely in awe of the lights and sounds in Times Square at 1am.

Starting off our actual anniversary day, Chris had said he had special plans for lunch and to dress to impress. I had silently wondered exactly how fancy this place was to get him to wear a suit in 30 degree heat, but as always was willing and excited to follow him wherever he wanted to lead me. However, my attitude had started to change as I trailed behind a man apparently on a mission to get through Central Park. I had thought we were on a leisurely stroll through the park we had only glimpsed the day before, but I was being tugged along by Chris holding my hand, apparently in a rush & searching for something.

He eventually found what he was looking for. A beautiful live wood bench that I had made a subtle comment about the day before. Under a small canopy of trees he seemed to slow and relax as we approached it.

We then had a sentimental moment, reflecting on our two years together, the happiness and peace we had brought into each other’s lives. Chris is such a supremely gentle soul, so aware and in touch with my own. He makes me feel so at home in his presence and within the fabric of our relationship. One of the things I find so endearing about him is how honestly, passionately and purely he can express his feelings. He told me about the change I had brought into his life and the joy he felt when he was with me. He then, to my complete and utter surprise began reciting (with a couple of ad libs for situational purposes) Harry’s confession of love to Sally.

"I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out.
I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich.
I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose
when you're looking at me like I'm nuts.
I love that after I spend the day with you,
I can still smell your perfume on my clothes.
And I love that you are the last person I want to
talk to before I go to sleep at night.
And it's not because I'm lonely...
I came here tonight because when you realize
you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody,
you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."
~ Harry Burns

This was THE movie quote, the one that he slept through and the one that I love. I don’t even think I was breathing! I was still in shock when he dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. I always said that I didn’t quite get the act of crying out of happiness, I realized in that moment how a feeling of joy can so overwhelm you that it can only then burst from you.

I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since. My heart smiles a million watts, so brightly now that the lights of Times Square seem dull in comparison.

Life is something, while precarious by nature, I am never in fear of. With Chris, life is a spectacular adventure of endless possibilities. Roads may go uphill, fork left and right, but we have planted sturdy roots in our beginning. The roots I have planted with him in our relationship are steadfastly tended to, and they allow me to feel absolute fearlessness. I rejoice in the freedom of my roots and the man whose vines grow so intimately entangled with mine.

~ Eryn