DINNER 'ROUND THE WORLD
from our valentine proposals

On the morning of February 14th, Nicole's doorbell rang. Nicole goes to answer the door but is surprised to see that instead of a person, sat only a lone teddy bear holding a bouquet of roses and a card. Butterflies already filling her stomach at the sweet gesture, Nicole picks up the valentines day assortment and reads the card.

She was once again surprised to see that the card had no poem or sweet hallmark speech, but only a note written in her boyfriend's handwriting. The note read:

Meet me at my house tonight at exactly 7:00 p.m. for a valentines day dinner you'll never forget!

Love, Chris

Unbeknownst of the impeding valentine proposal ahead, Nicole smiles and decides to play along and waits till 7:00p.m. to see her valentine. As she gets out of her car, she can see that Chris continues to outdo himself as a trail of rose petals lead all the way to Chris's front door. She rings the doorbell, and Chris invites her in. Nicole greets him with a kiss, and thanks him for being so absolutely sweet. Chris accepts the compliment with a smile and then escorts Nicole to the dining room.

When she got there, she was stunned. The candle lit table was surrounded in decorations from different cultures from around the world. More specifically, Italian, French, Mexican, Chinese, and American decorations.

Though quite impressed, she couldn't help but ask why he had put up so many random decorations. He just chuckled and said "because we'll be eating around the world tonight." He then asked Nicole to take a seat and he'd be right back with the drinks and appetizers.

When he came back with the Mexican inspired starter and Merlot, Nicole finally understood Chris's valentines scheme and couldn't help but marvel at how wonderful a man Chris was. Chris again with a light-hearted tone said "I thought we could start by drinking our way through Italy!" Nicole laughed, and the couple continued to enjoy dinner with each course inspired by a different culture.

By the time Nicole finished the main course, she had made it through all the destinations planned except for China. Though sure Chris had plans to incorporate Chinese food, she had to admit that she was quite full and didn't think she could eat another bite. Chris just laugh and told her that "it'll be just a quick stop in China!"

After going into the kitchen, Chris came back with a smile and the plate high over his head. Nicole was already regretting eating the new plate. When he sat it down, much to her relief, was a single fortune cookie. She let out a giggled sigh of relief and broke the fortune cookie.

She was speechless.

On the fortune cookie read the simple question, Nicole, marry me? As happy tears started to fill her eyes, she looked over at Chris who was now down on one knee. Looking into her eyes, Chris restated his question, "Nicole, will you marry me?" and presented the ring.

A smile slowly broke on Nicole's face and then she said ever simply "yes." he slipped the engagement ring on her finger, and the two shared a momentous kiss. The couple have since spent every anniversary traveling to a new country; reminiscing of the night that they dined around the world.

What You Need For This Valentine Proposal

• Engagement Ring
• Flowers
• Teddy Bear
• Valentines Day Card
• Personalized Fortune Cookie (Make things extra special with an engraved fortune cookie or giant fortune cookie!)
• Rose Petals
• Decorations
• Food/Catering (Not sure how to set up a full course meal? Click here to read a short overview.)

How to Re-create This Valentine Proposal

**Note: It is not necessary to follow all the directions as stated and are only explained as such for ease of use. Alterations to, or inspirations from, any romantic ideas are very welcome and encouraged.

Once you have all the necessary materials, you are ready to make one of the greatest valentine proposals a reality. The first steps are preparation, here's what you need to do...

1. Buy all necessary meal ingredients BEFORE Valentines day or have catering arrangements already set. This make for a more organized plan and saves you the hassle of doing so on the already stress-filled proposal day. NOTE: Choosing the right dishes to complement each other is crucial for success. Making certain that dishes will not drastically clash in tastes will ensure for a better meal and help you and your date to avoid any unwelcome trips to the restroom!

2. Have decorations complete at least a day before. Again, no need to do things you could have already completed before the day of.

3. The day before, write out the note on the valentines day card specifying when she should arrive and have all your valentines day novelties together so your ready for tomorrow. This way, you wont be scurrying around the next morning trying to get everything together.

So far so good, preparation phase complete. Now you're ready to actually set this valentine proposal into action! The next steps are execution, here's what you do...

4. Drive somewhere near her house, maybe one street over, and park. You want to make sure she wont see or hear your car when you arrive or leave. Regardless, It makes for a quicker getaway!

5. Quietly set up the teddy bear, roses, and card on her front step. Then, ring the doorbell and hightail it out of there!

6. Once your home, set up the rose petals and, if your cooking, get started. Catering? RELAX... Just take a breather and chill.

7. When she arrives, greet her and escort her to the dining area.

8. Once she is comfortable, go to the kitchen and get the first course. Then, enjoy your well deserved dinner!

9. Once Chinese is the only meal left, go and get the fortune cookie. Set the plate in front of her and get ready!

* Don't Forget to get down on one knee!

Tip to Personalize This Valentine Proposal

• Don't like Chinese? Sliding the ring on a bread stick or dropping it at the bottom of a glass of champagne make for equally unique valentine proposals.
• Full course meal too hard, or too expensive? Make it a picnic date instead with simple cultural meal choices. This or other alternative valentine proposals are just as creative and just as fun!
• Got your own romantic plans? Great! Run with it and make your romantic idea a reality.

Want to check out some other valentine proposals? Click here to return to the proposals hub page.