Our Engagement

Maggie and Justin were engaged on July 17, 2010, in Cambridge, England. With help from several good friends, Justin planned a surprise proposal. Maggie was indeed surprised, and fortunately, she said yes!

Maggie had been visiting Justin in Cambridge while he taught on The Cambridge Tradition 2010, a summer enrichment program for high school upperclassmen. On the day before Maggie was set to return to the States, Justin and Maggie set out on a punting (think Venetian gondola, except British) trip with friends Michael Barnett, Amy Digout, and Liz Clarke. English summer rain nearly threatened the outing, but luckily, the weather held. As the group passed the Clare College Bridge, Justin crouched toward Maggie and tried as best as he could to position himself in front of her and on one knee in a very small boat. Maggie later told Justin that she thought he was sick, because why else would someone be moving on such a big boat, with trembling hands no less. When Maggie saw the ring, a vintage English diamond and sapphire ring dating from the 1920s, she realized that Justin wasn't ill, but that he was proposing. After Maggie replied with an enthusiastic yes, and the couple shared a kiss, Justin turned around and shouted "She Said Yes!" Upon hearing this about 40 people standing on the Garret Hostel Bridge erupted with applause and cheers. The people on the bridge were not tourists. They were good friends of Maggie and Justin that Justin had secretly invited to clandestinely share in on the moment of the engagement.

After the big moment the group continued to cruise along the River Cam, enjoying the incredible scenery, each other’s company, and some very good Champaign. Thanks to the incomparable Jamie Gundry, Justin and Maggie are able to share photos of the engagement with you. Please view them in the photos section.