Proposal and Ring

The story of Drew's proposal and my engagement ring is intimately tied to my favorite movie, "Casablanca." Even as a young girl I just loved this film, because of the intrigue, the chemistry between Rick and Ilsa, their love affair in Paris, and Rick’s selfless decision at the end of the movie.

I asked Drew on our first date if he had ever seen Casablanca, and if he had, did he love the film. His affirmative answer had a lot do with him getting a second date. The first few months we were dating we would often grab some popcorn and make lemon drop martinis and watch Casablanca at the end of the work week. Drew never complained about watching the movie so often!

He understood that my heart is somehow tied to the film, that maybe I am a simple person in a complex, crazy world, just like Rick and Ilsa, and our life together would be about finding a less crazy path.

The chilly winds of winter were still blowing when, after more than a year of dating, Drew said he needed to go on a business trip to Europe. He asked if I would be interested in going with him. I’m not a woman who would turn down a free trip to Europe, so off we went to the airport.

Drew’s assistant arranged everything, so all we did is show up to the boarding gate with luggage and passports in hand. I didn't know at the time, but we were not going to Europe. We were on our way to Casablanca, Morocco!

The moment I stepped off the plane I knew Drew had some elaborate plan. I learned a lot about Drew in the first year of our relationship. He is in many ways more sensitive and romantic than I am, and he makes me laugh a lot. He actually won my heart with his dry and sometimes goofy sense of humor.

We checked into a hotel right across the street from Rick's Café Americana. Not the real one in the movie but a complete replica built in 2004. When we walked into the hotel room, similar to the hotel room Victor and Ilsa occupied in the movie, there were roses strewn about the room and rose petals on our bed.

Stylish 1940s clothes were hanging near the bed; Drew had had a designer in New York recreate the same dress and the same white suit that Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid wore in the movie. That's typical Drew detail, so impressive!

We arrived at the Café at eight and dined. We listened to Sam, or at least someone who looked similar, play all the favorites from the movie and the era.

When Sam started to play "As Time Goes By," Drew got down on one knee. He told me that I was the love of his life and his soul mate. He asked me to be his wife.

He then presented me with a gorgeous emerald-cut diamond ring – similar to the ring Ilsa wore in Casablanca. The ring was just perfect, what I could see through my tears. Drew told me later that he had it specially made by Harry Winston three months ago. He said he knew he was going to propose then, but wanted to make the moment just right.

Of course, I said Yes! We spent the rest of the week exploring Morocco and enjoying our evenings hanging out at Rick’s. Many reading this story may consider this to be a little bit over the top, but Casablanca means more to us than just a film. The movie represents a simpler way of life.

To clarify, I would have stayed with Victor Lazlo and been the first lady of Poland. Rick would have been too problematical, and he would most likely have destroyed the relationship in the end. I need a strong man I can trust and grow with, a man like Drew.