While planning the best way to pop the question, Ned Garvey came up with a bright idea.
The Bellevue-resident was eager to ask his girlfriend of nine years for her hand in marriage and turned to the volunteers at the Bellevue Botanical Garden for help. Garvey and the a few of the volunteers from the annual Garden d’Lights show worked together to design a proposal in lights.
Garden volunteers Dallas and Sharon Graham have been crafting the works of art out of lights for years.
“When the young man brought up the idea of a proposal to the volunteers, they were more than happy to help,” Dallas said. “I think some of them have a romantic side,” he joked.
The volunteers worked their magic and strung together a one-of-a-kind light piece that read “Will You Marry Me” with a bright shining outline of a wedding ring in place of the word “Marry.” The purple lights sparkled against the pitch-black background just off the path of the park’s Visitor Center.
Garvey knew the Bellevue Botanical Garden d’Lights held a special place in the heart of his long-time girlfriend, Jennifer Lyzanchuk. He could not envision a more perfect location to drop to one knee and present her with a ring. The couple arrived arm in arm, drawn in by the vibrant lights and unique designs created by volunteers. Although the wind was blowing and the rain was falling, the two made their way through the garden.
Garvey was given an individual switch controlling the light-up sign and clicked it on as the two rounded the path. Lyzanchuk cried tears of joy and said “Yes.”
The magic of the garden gave way to the magic of the moment.
“I am totally in shock,” said a very happy Lyzanchuk. “I was sad we couldn’t come see the lights sooner because of the snow, but this was worth waiting for. I’m just speechless.”
The couple met on a blind date nearly a decade ago.
As far as a wedding date?
“Gee, I don’t know,” said Garvey, who then turned to his new fiancée. “Maybe spring,” replied the beaming bride-to-be.
Lindsay Larin can be reached at llarin@bellevuereporter.com or 425-453-4602.
