Some of the largest moments in your life will take weeks or even months of planning and anticipation to create. It’s a magical feeling to realize that you have found the person that you want to have by your side moving together through this thing called life!
I got a call from T.J. Popolizio one Wednesday morning in mid- September. His inquiry was about having me performing music for his anticipated marriage proposal coming up in early November. As he revealed the details that he was planning, I wanted to do everything in my musical powers to create the romantic background that he had envisioned.
T.J. and his girlfriend Janelle would take their pup out for a walk around the Troy waterfront every evening when she gets home from work. On this particular night, the walk around the block was going to include passing a violinist street performer, who would be playing romantic tunes. The special request was that I perform Janelle’s favorite song “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey at the specific moment that the proposal would take place.
November approached and T.J. stayed in touch with me. I watched the weather app in hopes that we would have a good chance to do this outside. The night before the proposal, T.J. and J.P. Elario, his trusted friend and photographer met and mapped out the exact choreography for the next day. They sent me a video of details regarding where I should situate myself and set up to perform. This was exciting!
On the night of Friday, November 5th, I arrived in Troy at 5:30pm. T.J. met me at my car and escorted me to the spot that I would be playing in just under an hour. As the six o’clock hour approached, I knew it was time to go and assume my role. I set my equipment up at my designated spot and started performing tunes on my electric violin with my faithful amplifier by my side. Pedestrians dropped various amounts of money into my violin case as they walked by, unknowingly to them, they were “extras” in this real life romantic episode. I was enjoying this!
At exactly 6:30, T.J. came walking by with his very lovely girlfriend and their sweet pup. As the couple made their way, they passed through the alley in which I was playing. I got a gentle nod from T.J. after they passed me and a hand signal that they were going to circle the block again. Timing is everything! I was impressed with TJ’s precision on such an emotional day! As they came around that second time, they came to a stop a few feet away from me and I knew the moment had arrived. I was in the middle of playing an Ed Sheeran song called “Perfect” , which matched the feeling in the air so I let it play out a bit before I launched into Lana Del Rey’s “Young And Beautiful”.
T.J. got down on one knee and pulled a note out from his pocket which he presented to Janelle. It was a depicted cartoon of the two of them with their pup and the scene was exactly what was transpiring. Him being on one knee proposing to her. The emotions that were felt were like flashes of lightning. The note was such a thoughtful and sweet memory for them to keep.
At that moment, J.P. Elario appeared like a genie out of a bottle. Just like a flash of lightning, with cell phone in one hand, camera equipment in the other. He moved with the grace of a ninja capturing all the magic!
Janelle said “Yes” and the newly engaged couple, embraced and kissed. Then they made their way to a nearby restaurant where T.J. had assembled a party of their close friends to gather and wait for the celebratory couple. The festivities were to continue all night!
All this in a day’s work and I loved every moment of it! The proposal took months to plan and precise timing and execution to get it just right. It’s the best feeling in the world to know that I contributed to such a beautiful occasion! I’m looking forward to performing at their wedding and keeping the music going!