Proposal of the Month: September

The Couple: Allison and Gene Altobelli

Wedding Date: June 20, 2009

The Proposal (according to Allison): Gene and I had been vacationing on the Jersey Shore for years. On our five-year anniversary, Gene had planned for us an evening in Atlantic City. We saw a comedy show and then planned to enjoy live jazz and a cocktail at our favorite hidden romantic lounge, Top of the Trop, in the Tropicana Hotel. I had a feeling he was going to propose, and on the elevator ride up to lounge I had butterflies! But upon arriving, we were greeted by a sign that read “Top of the Trop is currently under construction. We apologize.” Disappointed, we proceeded home and our anniversary was over. The next day in Jersey was our last day of vacation, and Gene told me that he wanted to take me to a nice restaurant on the water that evening. We decided on a local favorite, and my butterflies started again. As we pulled into the restaurant parking lot, we were cut off by 15 ambulances and police cars speeding in as we watched patrons pour from the restaurant doors screaming “The deck collapsed! People are in the water!” We turned around quickly and headed for the beach for a walk. As we walked along the beach, holding hands, I knew timing was on our side now. Then, he got down on one knee, told me about his foiled plots to propose in the past two days, and then asked if we could spend the rest of our lives together. And, I said “yes!”