Robyn and John were celebrating Christmas on the 24th with his family because they had planned to spend the 25th together.  John had brought up the idea, of course, to Robyn as a making it a day for relaxation and romance...while in his mind, he was planning to make the day memorable by asking Robyn to marry him.  To Robyn, it would be a nice getaway, but John already knew the true intention.

 

With John's family, Robyn and John exchanged gifts on Christmas eve.  John ended up giving Robyn a beautiful Tiffany Paloma Picasso ring as a decoy ring to throw her off in case she had any inclination John would propose.  (John had contemplated giving her socks to really throw her off but knew the Tiffany ring would work better.  Good choice!)

With weeks of planning behind him, John had reserved a room for both of them at the W hotel on Chicago's lakefront.  John and Robyn checked in on the 25th and John had much in store for the couple. 

 

John had mentioned they could relax and eat at the hotel restaurant, but he had really reserved a table at another restaurant, SushiSambaRio, and Robyn was okay to hear from John that the concierge insisted they try that restaurant instead.

 

Off to the restaurant...and back to the hotel as John continued to conceal the wedding ring on his person...making sure Robyn wouldn't find it.

 

What a nice surprise?!  For some reason, a horse-drawn carriage with a beautiful white horse, Quest, was waiting at the hotel front doors.  As they walked into the hotel, John asked Robyn if she would be interested in taking a ride in the carriage, if the horse was available.  Of course, it was available since he had reserved it, but Robyn didn't know that...so Robyn thought John was joking when he said Quest was available and off they went for a wonderful winterland tour of downtown Chicago.

John winked at the driver to make a stop at Ghiradelli's for hot chocolate (Robyn's favorite).  Of course, the store would be closed, but it was a way to get the carriage to stop by the Old Water building.

 

As they exited the carriage and stood in front of the tower, a photographer snapped the couple's photo.  On their way back to the carriage, John shared some words and, down on one knee, asked Robyn to marry him and continue their beautiful journey in life as husband and wife.