In Antwerp, Eric checked into a strik- ing hotel he had helped select for its blend of modern Belgian design and botanical charm. Its courtyard, with an ancient tree and a Gothic cathedral in the background, offered a perfect setting. With hours to spare, he wandered cobblestone streets and even befriended locals at a pub — by the time he left, half the room knew the secret he was keeping. That evening, as Fallon prepared for dinner with her father, Lawrence guided her into the courtyard. She rounded the corner and, instead of seeing a familiar dinner companion, found Eric — the man she believed was back home. The surprise was complete. Tears filled her eyes before his, and Lawrence captured the moment on video, preserving the culmination of months of planning. The celebration didn’t end there. To- gether, Eric and Fallon traveled through Belgium, Paris, and Geneva, savoring meals, wine, and the romance of European streets. By chance, Eric’s family was in Paris at the same time, giving them an opportunity to toast the engagement together. Looking back, Eric is most grateful not just for the surprise itself, but for what it represented: a gesture of love, carefully crafted to honor Fallon in the most per- sonal way. In the heart of Europe, with the ring designed just for her, their next chap- ter began. What’s one quirky or funny habit your partner has that you adore? FALLON: “He pretends to know lyrics to songs but never does so he always just makes them up with full confidence. It makes me laugh every time!” ERIC: “She picks up on my mannerisms and slang usually after a couple months. If I start using a new word or saying ill catch her saying soon after.”
47 | B ACHENDORF’ S
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