Monique and Kenneth's Picturesque Winery Engagement in Virginia -Munaluchi Bride

Being a friend of Monique’s older brother, Kenneth and Monique’s paths would regularly cross, and with every passing their interest in the other began to grow. The more they got to know each other the more their feelings deepened, until Kenneth began to realize that in Monique he had found both the person of his dreams and the woman he was going to marry.

Read all about Monique & Kenneth’s love story, romantic proposal, and wedding aspirations in their picturesque winery engagement in Virginia.

Bride & Groom-to-be: Monique & Kenneth
Engagement session date: September 25th 2017
Engagement session location: Stone Tower Winery Leesburg, VA

Tell us how you met. Kenneth and I met through my older brother in 2008. Neither of us showed interest in the other at the time. Throughout the years we would see each other at gatherings with my brother and we got to know each other a little better. Around 2013 is when our interest grew. He told my brother that he was interested in me and my brother was against it. As time went by he would again mention his feelings to my brother, all the while my brother would not give him the green light. So finally during the week of his birthday in August of 2014, Kenneth wouldn’t take no for an answer. He was having a birthday party and I was invited. He told my brother that he was going to pursue me and he didn’t care what he had to say about it. There was an instant connection that weekend. According to Kenneth, he knew then he was going to make me his wife. We talked pretty much everyday after that and the rest is history.

Tell us all about the proposal. It was a typical Friday (February the 10th), with one exception… I felt like I was catching a cold! I went to work per usual and Kenneth had the day off. He spent the morning playing basketball with friends. We texted throughout the day as we usually do to check in on each other. After work, I had my usual Friday hair appointment and Kenneth went to get a hair cut. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at all. According to him, he forgot that I had a hair appointment that day and thought that it would interfere with his plans. While getting my hair curled I got a text asking what I wanted to do this evening. By this part of the day, I was feeling worse so my response was, “something very chill.” Kenneth replied, “did you have a taste for anything in particular?” I said, “No. I don’t really have a taste for anything.” He then said, “I was thinking the Ferris Wheel at the Harbor and then Oyster Ale House.” I’m thinking to myself that’s not chill at all! So I responded, “I’m not really up to that.” By this time I’m on my way out the door of the salon and headed home. He’s excited on his end because I got out of the salon earlier than usual. When I get home, I immediately get in my PJs and get in bed. After a while I get another text saying. “Would you like Japanese or Chipotle then?” I’m thinking to myself, either of those because he can get them to-go and just bring it to me.

Unfortunately, that’s not what he was thinking. His response was, “Ok, we can ride the Ferris Wheel and then go to Chipotle.” By this part of the conversation I’m livid. I already said a million times that I wasn’t up to going out and he keeps insisting on riding this Ferris Wheel. Needless to say I didn’t immediately respond to that text. He knew I was getting irritated. So then he texts again that he already has tickets to ride the wheel. All the while I’m thinking to myself, they’re tickets to the Ferris Wheel, it’s ok if we waste that money! So then something tells me, just be a supportive girlfriend because he is obviously excited to ride this Ferris Wheel. So I regained some energy to get dressed. When he arrives, I of course have an attitude because I do not want to go and he knows I don’t feel well. I then noticed that he has on a new outfit from head to toe. Thinking to myself, he’s dressed really nice for the Ferris Wheel and Chipotle…

We Uber to the National Harbor and head to the Ferris Wheel. It was the coldest night ever. I was trying to hold on to Kenny not knowing that he was nervous about me being too close to what was hiding in his pocket. We head up to the line and take our picture before we get on the wheel. As we’re getting in he asks if we could switch sides. I’m thinking to myself, we will have the exact same view if we switch sides but for him, he had to get to what was in his pocket at the right time. So as were heading to the top (where he planned on making his move). I said let’s take a selfie. Now normally I would use his phone because he has the better camera but he didn’t even suggest it (being as though it was in the same pocket as the ring). We take a few pictures and he says, “So what’s next.” I’m thinking to myself, Chipotle right?” and he then says, “the sky’s the limit.” I turned to him and he’s holding an open box and says “will you marry, me?” My immediate response was, “WHAAAATTTT?” And then of course I said “YES!” I literally cried for the entire rest of the ride which felt like forever.

I got off the ride telling every stranger I saw that I just got engaged. Of course we had to take another picture with the ring! I said, “We can go to Oyster Ale House now!” But we decided to just get Chipotle and a bottle of champagne to celebrate. I immediately called my mom to tell her the news. When we got home Kenneth said, you did not make this easy for me at all tonight.” By this time I totally forgot that I was sick. I was so happy that my symptoms seemed to have disappeared. He said, “you were going to get proposed to tonight regardless just so you know.” He proposed to me on 2-10. I live on highway 210, in apartment 210, and those numbers are also personal to him because they are significant dates of his best friends that passed away. So lucky me, I didn’t get proposed to in my apartment! It was definitely a struggle to get me out of the house that day, but I am so glad that I did. Now every time I pass the Harbor and see the Ferris Wheel, I think about the best day of my life..

What did you do on your first date? On our first date we went to the movies to see Planet of The Apes. Our favorite thing to do as a couple is to play games, drink wine, and watch movies and our favorite t.v. shows.

How has wedding planning been so far? Wedding planning has been good. I wouldn’t say stressful, there hasn’t been any Bridezilla moments, yet! I like to plan and I’m very detailed oriented so it’s been fun but it also has it’s moments.

What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day? On our wedding day, we are looking most forward to seeing where all this money is going to! But most importantly starting our union together as one and enjoying that moment with our loved ones.