Will you marry me?
I'm sure that once you've read this story, you'll go "Awwwwwww!" On March 6th, I received an email from a young man in the U.S., Manu. He said something like, "My girlfriend, Smitha, and I have been reading your blog every day for the past two months in preparation for a trip to Paris. What she doesn't know is that I plan on proposing to her while we are there, in front of the Eiffel Tower. Could you happen to secretly be there to take a photo of us and then we can surprise her by publishing it on your blog?" My romantic soul couldn't resist, so, we arranged for a time and place, and there I was last night (Monday) at 7:45 pm sharp on the Passerelle Debilly. By the way, we did not even talk. All this was to remain a secret until today! - so I don't even know if she said yes. I'm pretty sure she did though...who could resist a fiancé who does all this to win the heart of his wife-to-be? P.S. My camera could have done with a little more light, for sure, but it's enough to keep the memory.
Libellés : 16th arrondissement, Eiffel Tower, Love
posted by Eric @ 00:07
179 Comments:
That story gave me the chills! How beautiful! And what a great guy you are to take a photo.
One more thing, to the lovely couple - CONGRATULATIONS!
Yes Eric, I will!
Ahhh Paris.. romance capital of the world. I hope one of these days my wife and I could be there to celebrate and savour life!
Actually the grainy photo has an old world character. Nice touch!
Mario
LOL Monica!
Congratulations to the lucky couple. Do you think they'll see the post tonight or are they busy "making sure"?
That was so sweet, I could puke. Just kidding! You are Cupid, Eric! That's really wonderful. I'm so jealous!
How lucky they were that you captured the moment.
Congratulations Manu and Smitha.
You're right Suzy, above all, congratulations to Manu and Smitha.
Now that I've accepted your request I can comment on the photo.
aaaaahhhhhh! This is the most romantic thing I've ever seen!!!!! If Smitha didn't say yes to him, I will!!!
Oh look Eric, even Buzzgirl showed up for the event! What an occasion!
I am very cupid Buzzgirl! Isn't this story great? I'm sure everyone will be envious.
Ma femme et moi venons tout juste d'arriver en Californie il y a 6 mois, et ca me fait enormement de bien de voir des photos de Paris, je suis tres heureux d'avoir trouve votre blog,
Stef
Oh Eric you are something else. How sweet of you to do this. You know how cold and wet it was outside and for you to be there was really special.
Now, for all of you out there who want to know my answer, I hate to disappoint. I told Manu hell no! If he couldn't afford to take me somewhere nice and warm than I doubt he can afford to keep me in the style to which I've grown accustomed.
Merci anyway !
*wink*
This picture is beautiful even if you hadn't told us about the story i think is great. I am from Mexico and i love reading your blog. Keep the romanticism up! Congrats to the couple!
Ok, ok, well it was cold I have to say. And that rain just wouldn't stop. So she said "no", which just wouldn't do.
So listen Eric, you obviously didn't stay around long enough. I was going to ask you if you wanted to grab a beer or something after I dumped her over the side of the bridge, but you were gone on that damn scooter of yours (you need to get the muffler checked by the way).
Well Manu, you see I managed to swim to the river bank where I kind young man helped me out and took me back to his place to dry off. I am now sitting out on the covered balcony sipping champagne while you're asking Eric if he "wants to grab a beer". Pffft
Manu and Smitha, we know this isn't the real you, but where could they be?
Yes, yes Eric, i will ! I bet i'm not the first to say that. I'll read the rest of your post and the comments then come back. I just wanted to rush in here and say YES. LOL !! Poor Eric i bet you're running for your life, as we write!
Eric, this photo is reminiscent of a Robert Doisneau photo.
Although, I don't remember the subjects of those photos throwing each other off a bridge!
Well Suzy, just trying to keep us entertained while we await the lovely couple's appearance. It's sort of like the bad band at the wedding until the bride and groom arrive to greet their guests...
C'est gééééénial!! Je trouve ça fabuleux comme histoire, il n'y a rien de plus romantique que de faire sa demande en face de la Tour Eiffel ET être pris en photo par un paparazzi qui publie ça sur son blog! J'en perds mon anglais.
Je voudrais qu'il m'arrive la même chose, je serais capable de dire oui à un inconnu. :)
Congratulations to the two lovers, who, no pleased to be romantic, are also funny.
When we look at her smile, we can't believe that she answered no.
Ahhh un conte de fée avant de dormir!
Awwww!!!
This is a very sweet jester:)
Congrats to the couple!
I have an idea Michael - we can sing karaoke tunes until they show up. You go first.
'Who could resist a fiancé who does all this to win the heart of his wife-to-be?' : so true Eric.
I must say I haven't understood very well Manu and Smitha's comments? Wink ? So that was not them? Someone took their names?? ... It feels so weird after the romantic story you just described..;
ERIC
There is a book here somewhere! Pay attention!
Yes Corinne, it is strange isn't it?!
*wink*
OK, grâce à Guille, je viens de comprendre. C'était de l'humour.... Congratulations ! I was totally in the story and even didn't understand that was humoour! Shame on me:)Have to go to bed!!
I'm with Guille, "je serais capable de dire oui à un inconnu" if he proposes in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Or anywhere in Paris for that matter!
Ohhh this is true romance of the modern day. The lovely couple photographed at the most important moment by Blog Baron Eric. Wonderful! I do hope she said yes. Perhaps if they have travelled to Paris, they are in a hotel and don't yet have access to the internet? Maybe tomorrow they will add a comment and tell us the answer. We await with bated breath! ..... sigh.... huh girls?....sigh....
I wonder who's going to do the screenplay.
Aaaaaaaaaaawwwww!!! Well done, it's a beautiful shot! And good for you Eric. That's sweet! Of course, now that you've opened the flood gates...
Best wishes to Manu and Smitha, of course.
Great post! I love it! :)
This is surely newspaper-worthy, this story, too Eric? I want to know how long you stayed there? Did you speak to them at all, did she know who you were? How many did you take before you were happy with the photo? How nervous were you? Oh sorry i must stop interviewing...
Tell you something else, this is a Zazzle moment. I can imagine the most romantic cards....sigh again...
NASTY MICHAEL !!! LOL!!!
Stef: bienvenue en Californie. Hang on to your Euros! :-D
Psst Monica! You have to click the Passerelle link. You'll never guess what SUZY said! gossip gossip
Guille you made me laugh, you were so struck with romance your tongue only worked in French. Ahhh. What better language for love?
Fantastique! Great Story. Great Picture. Great Fun. Eric ... you inspire all of us.
Nice...hope she said "yes."
Add my name to the chorus of those above who just love this story! Monica and Lynn you just crack me up "accepting" Eric's proposal. Plus it's such a beautiful photo (even if the light wasn't perfect Eric) that the couple can always look back at and smile. Not to mention the fact that a bunch of strangers know their story now!
Lynn I went to the link.
It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I'm sure I'll dream of Paris tonight.
I've got an idea Lynn. How about you and me (and Guille too if she wants) stand in front of the Eiffel Tower with a paper sign in our hands saying "Will Say Yes". Just like those people with signs that says will work for food...
Who knows, maybe an inconnu passing by might like the adventure and pop the question!
Exactly, Katie, it's immortalised by Eric. How fantastic. This young man had a fantastic idea in doing this; i can imagine his lady will be so touched ooooooh i need to know what she said though!
He he Monica what a funny thought! We'd need to make it clear what we are saying yes to though and to whom LOL. Eeek!
This is so beautiful. I too am full of dreams tonight, the romance of it all ahhhh.
Lynn, what better language for love than French? None. :) Le français est la langue de l'amour, profitons-en...
I suspect you to look for some elements to write an article Lynn!
Monica "Or anywhere in Paris for that matter" ... So I advice you not to meet Michael in Paris one more time. On ne sait jamais,tu ne pourrais pas dire non!!
Your idea is great. But if somebody ask you?...LOL. Too young to be married!!
Where ARE Michael and Eric now? They are scared stiff now that Eric has awoken our romance genes! Hiding in the shadows, afraid of the YES word. lol he he.
I would love to write this up Guille, if i were in Paree i would submit it to a local paper.
"Congratulations" (to the real) Manu and Smitha,
Your story is so incredibly romantic. :*-) To plan such a special moment and arrange for Baron Blog Eric to take this photo is just divine. It takes my breath away. :*-) Wishing you enduring joy and happiness.
Yours truly, Jennifer the Hopeless Romantic.
Congratulations Suzy, you just caught the bouquet and won the GF award. ;)
Eric, you photo is perfect! The bells from yesterday were actually wedding bells, weren't they? :)
Guille I figured you're too young to tide the knot. Me, I'll settle for romance in Paris, I don't really need a ring.
The great thing about Paris is that the minute we get there we immediately fall in love... with the city.
That's more than enough!
a beautiful photo and a beautiful story. i love the grainy quality of it, actually. it's reminiscent of some of the classic old shots of paris that are so full of romance. how sweet to see the world has such lovely people as you to do this for strangers :)
Eric I love this Picture..as many people have already said it was sweet of you to take the picture.Im so sorry it didnt work out for them haha LOL :]..... Congrats to the couple! Cheers!!
awww sweetness!!!!
What a wonderful moment! Your photo's are always intriguing and I love your blog ~ someday I hope my husband and I can see Paris in person!!!
Eric I bet you are so proud and so touched by this couple story aren't you? I'm always amazed by the wonderful things your blog provide to people all over (me included).
This more than proves that you're blog isn't just another one in this internet world. You blog is THE BLOG.
Congratulations to you for achieving so much, for being so generous to us all and for making this couple's most important moment in life even more unforgetable.
Congrats Smitha and Manu!!!!
Do show us your wedding pictures!
His plan was impressive, but for you to do this for complete strangers says a lot about your character and your heart. Awwww, quite lovely of you.
What a guy!
O, and Manu sounds quite nice, too . . .
C'est tres gentil, mon ami. I'm choking, it's so beautiful.
Ok, now. Monica, you brat, I'm outing you: she's married, everyone! Hah! C'est vrai, when she's bad, she's horrid!
Really nice story, Eric, and the photo is perfect.
Ok, ok, I'm sorry. I'm just hurt because I sent you all those picnic photos and you didn't even tell me you got them. Sniffle, sob. And after that beautiful story by Eric. Oh, I just can't take it.
How wonderful to hear of a Hollywood moment in real life! Kudos Eric for making that happen... and such the romantic photo.
You are Not only a friendly Parisian,you are a Romantic One...
and That's a wonderful thing you did..
What a nice memory you give them.. Bravo.
Eric, you got a picture with a halo around Manu's head (rightfully so!), and I think there's a bit of a halo around yours as well. I think I'll dream of this picture tonight.
That does it. If/when Mr. Perfect and I ever get to take a honeymoon, we're bringing Eric.
Shout out to Stef. Hello!
(Aside to Michael. The phrase is not "making sure." The phrase is "making love." Do I have to tell you everything?)
Lovely gesture Eric. Beautiful photo. All French men are romantic at heart, n'est ce pas?
Wonderful story and great picture. When Louis la Vache first saw the photo, he thought Eric had done a retro-WWII-era shot.
Best wishes to Smitha and Manu from the rather-recently wed Louis la Vache.
http://pour-la-famille.blogspot.com/2008/02/ntre-mariage-dans-lglise-4-novembre.html
'Love is space and time measured by the heart.' (Marcel Proust)
If Proust is right, then Paris is the perfect place in which to consolidate - and consummate - a romance. As a city in which time and space are perfectly attuned to the charmed gait and timeless intimacy of lovers, it provides a stage on which there is always room for another Romeo and his Juliet - or, as in this case, another Manu and his Smitha.
What a kind thing to do; such a cool gift for them! (For us, too) And such an atmospheric photo. Like a scene in a movie.
Here's to Smitha and Manu! (Pop! Bubbles... Clink.)
MZM
Well Petrea, I was trying to be discreet. Maybe their parents are reading this???
It's almost 7am here now, so am guessing we have a few more hours before the two of them show their heads here.
JEFF...you're going to be in big trouble when Monica awakes and reads your comment. Oh, do I feel for you...
Bien Sur!!! Of course I will!! LOL!!
Ohhh, "L'Amour, L'Amour...Toujours l'Amour"!!
Can anybody guess which famous "cult" movie this is from?? A big fat Chocolate Easter Egg goes to the winner!! ;-) LOL!
You're right, Michael. Oooh, Jeff.
Tonton Flaneur: "The Women", d. George Cukor, 1939?
Eric, A magical post! A romantic first in PDP history. How fun that Manu and his love were enjoying your blog so much that he thought to invite you to chronicle such a lovely moment in their lives. Will you be taking the wedding photos, too? ;^)
High marks to Michael for the creative writing!
-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo
Awwwww...absolutely love it!!! and congrats to the lovely couple.
What a wonderful story and how cool that you went along, took the shot and never even spoke to the happy couple - like a stealth bomber!
Strangers in the night.
Congrats to the young couple but even more to you, Eric. x
Great Eric and the scoop !
You were right Eric, I did go..."Ohhhhh" and my dragged my husband to read it too...it is so romantic.
Thank you Smitha and Manu for giving Eric the opportunity to share this moment with us.
What a wonderfull :)
did it work? SUCCESS?
Yes, oh dear indeed, Jeff. Take cover. You know not what you've done...
I have to confess this is a beautifull and very romantic story... Congratulations to the lovely couple and to Eric for this great picture !!!!!
Wow!!!
So many people claim of giving Aaaawwwweee moments... but you surely did it... The pic and the sentiments behind it are so
awwwwwwwwweeeeeeee
:-)
Paris... a city for lovers! It seems things happen not only in movies! Best wishes for the couple!
AAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!
AAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!
how sweet =)
How nice of you, Eric! (Awwwww)
Perfect.
Abraham Lincoln in Brookville, Ohio
A beautiful photo with an even better story to match - how wonderful!
A perfect photo, a wonderful tale.Your'e too modest, no extra light needed.
Thmanks Monica for confirming Marie-Antionette Austrian link.
Eric, bless your heart! For the sake of romance, thank you for doing this and sharing this with us!
Michael will you do me a favor and explain (not here, of course!) to Jeff why I'm not as bad as he thinks...
;)
superbe ce b&w, je lui trouve un coté photographique des films de Marcel Carné. On s'imaginerait bien Gabin et Michele Morgan............
Oh my gosh, what an awesome story and great photo of course! That needs to be on Oprah or something...wow!
This blog is very interesting. I love Paris!
Eric - you are Robert Doisneau!
And what a fabulous story. How proud you must be - hope to God she said YES. how could she not?
YOU MADE ME CRY!!!!!!!!!.........
(now, to compensate me, could you please help us supporting Kissimmee's membership to CDPB?? Thank you... Merci...)
What a lovely romance story. One I'll never forget. Thany you for sharing this with all the bloggers.
I too thought the picture was beautiful even before reading the story! How sweet of you to be willing to go do that for them! And how sweet is that man for even thinking of it! Who said men are romantics?
Today on my "Winning Attitude" post was the following comment: "Hi Mel,
I have a suggestion for a Winning Attitude Award recipient, and I hope this is the correct spot to do so. I have been visiting this man's blog daily because the author/photographer presents dazzling gifts to his readers every day. The post for March 25th - and all the comments it has generated - is a perfect example! Please consider
http://www.parisdailyphoto.com/
Thanks much,
Lydia"
Well, with an endorsement like that I had to take a look. She was right. Your blog is amazing.
About 3 years ago my wife and I took a 10 day vacation to Paris. We stayed at the Hilton about a block from the Eiffel Tower. It was my first time in Paris and I had the best vacation ever. What an amazing city; "The city of lights."
Now to get back to Lydia's comment. I have a site that is "Dedicated to the Pursuit, Capture, Care and Feeding of a Positive Mental Attitude." It is called "Attitude, the Ultimate Power." Once of the awards that I created is called the "Winning Attitude" award.
I don't know how you feel about blog awards, but I would love to present it to you. It comes with no strings and no tagging requirements. If you are so inclined, come on by and pick it up: http://mondaymorningpower.blogspot.com/2007/11/winning-attitude-award.html
I will certainly be visiting your site on a regular basis.
Fantastic! What a great romantic story.