Ryan & Rushini's Festive Holiday Proposal at Hemphill Farms

Ryan's preparation leading up to his proposal to Rushini did not go as planned (it was 2020, after all). First a delay in creating the perfect ring due to COVID-19 and the jewelry store being closed, then Ryan & Rushini up and moved all the way from Chicago to Portland for a new job opportunity for Ryan. In September 2020, Ryan contacted me to get the ball rolling on a flash mob proposal. After 2 months of phone calls, researching locations, choreography, dancer recruitment and practices, Oregon went into a statewide minimum 2 week "freeze" due to Coronavirus just 4 days before the date set for the proposal. It was heartbreaking. We all understood why additional health safety measures were being put into place but the guidelines were confusing and we were ALL in need of some happy after what had been a very isolating and challenging year.

So not knowing when the freeze would be lifted or what the new regulations would entail when it was, Ryan and I started planning and scheming again. We moved the flash mob out of Multnomah County and into a location with a high potential of staying open: a Christmas tree farm. We also moved the date out a month to the weekend before Christmas. The dancers continued to practice their routines at home via video. Ryan continued to practice his singing when he could sneak in time on his own and had one socially distanced practice with me to test out the sound system & vocal levels. Eventually around the beginning of December we were given clearer guidelines as to what was allowed moving forward and we lucked out with 50 or less dancers outside being on the approved list. So we moved full steam ahead with our vision.

After the driest December Oregon has seen in a while, a forecast of 100% rain was set for our date. I anxiously checked the weather every hour or so in the 24 hours leading up to the proposal, all the while trying to keep the faith that everything would work out in our favor. While we didn't get the snow or dry weather we were hoping for, the rain just lightly sprinkled during our proposal moment - a stark contrast from the rest of the day, filled with torrential downpour. After leading Rushini on a scavenger hunt around Portland, Ryan's clues eventually led them to Hemphill Farms, where Rushini was surprised by her sister who had flown in from Philadelphia. As she was distracted by and soaking up that surprise, Ryan grabbed the mic and the singing and dancing commenced. Ryan re-wrote the lyrics to "Uptown Girl" by Billy Joel and then to "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran so they were meaningful and personal to Rushini. As the flash mob continued, both Rushini and onlookers became emotional. Then as the dancers ran away, he got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him...to which, of course, she said YES!

Moments like these touch the heart on a whole 'nother level...especially during the holidays. Especially during a particularly difficult year. The dedication of the dancers and flexibility & kindness Ryan displayed during the process was admirable and inspiring, everyone with the same hope and desire to pull this proposal off in the most amazing way. Love really does bring out the best in people.

Scroll below to watch the magic unfold for yourself through a series of breathtaking photos & video. The biggest, warmest congratulations to Ryan & Rushini on their engagement!

Photography by Lindsay Blair Photography

Ryan & Rushini's Flash Mob Proposal Video