On their first date, Madison and Jason talked all about movies. A few months into dating, they got a theater membership and began seeing movies together almost every week. But recently, at a cinema in Manhattan, something unusual happened…
Madison: We had a very normal morning and went to Hani’s Bakery for pastries. The only thing that stood out to me was that I’ve been encouraging Jason to get new sneakers, and the day before we got engaged, he got a brand new pair.
Jason: I had a couple of movie-related ideas for the proposal, but the marquee was the best one. I called Village East about my idea, and they could not have been nicer. That weekend, I told Madison that we were going to see the 25th-anniversary screening of Legally Blonde and that we were going to dinner with friends afterward so that she would dress up a bit.
Madison: He’d barely stepped out of the taxi before he got down on one knee.
Jason: I wanted to say something like, ‘Madison, I love you so much, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.’ And maybe, ‘Our life is like the best movie,’ even though she probably would have laughed at that last line.
Jason: It’s true that you do kind of black out. I forgot everything I’d prepared to say except, ‘Will you marry me?’
Madison: After I said yes, all our relatives came rushing out. They’d been hiding in the lobby, watching the proposal.
Jason: I’d thought about the public-ness of the proposal because we’re not a couple that loves attention. But the marquee was just so perfect that I was like, Okay, even if it is a little public, it’s worth it.
Madison: It also didn’t feel too public because it was a rainy day. And the marquee was such a great idea — it felt very ‘us.’
Jason: When we went inside, the theater employees told us that while they’ve done marquee proposals before, this was the first time they’d actually seen the proposal happen. They were all really excited.
Jason: Nowadays, friends who pass the movie theater will sometimes text a photo. It’s like our own little landmark.
*Lightning round!*
Movie line that’s quoted most often in your household?
Madison: When one of us has plans without the other, we channel the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding and say, ‘Why do you have to leave me???’
Best wedding scene?
Madison: The final scene of Bridesmaids when they sing ‘Hold On’ with Wilson Phillips.
Favorite older rom-coms?
Jason: When Harry Met Sally and Moonstruck.
Madison: Ten Things I Hate About You.
What have you learned about love from rom-coms?
Madison: Find the right person at the right time (500 Days of Summer), marry your best friend (13 Going On 30), and stick with each other through all seasons of life (When Harry Met Sally).
Thank you so much for sharing your proposal with us, Jason and Madison!
P.S. More proposal stories, including at a beach, a park, and a bakery. xoxo
(Photos by Hallie Geller Photography.)
