Ruth and Michael met on the N train in the fall of 2008. Naturally, when Michael plotted to propose, he tracked the trains and set up an event worthy of a Pferdie.
For those of you with the question, “How the heck did Michael get this to work our so perfectly??” Here’s some after-the-credits extras…
CLICK MAP to enlarge
Emulating his favorite stage managers, Michael set up this handy guide sheet for all involved. Michael began using the code “The Thing with the Thing” in case Ruth began to suspect. Considering the source, the term seemed just random enough to throw her off.
Two weeks out, Michael began timing Astoria-bound N trains from 57th Street. They always averaged out. (And corresponded with Google’s timing.)
Lap 1 = 57th St –> Lexington Av
Lap 2 = Lex –> Queensboro Plaza
…and so on…
Lap 6 = arrived at Broadway
= The Thing with The Thing!
Emulating his favorite stage managers, Michael set up this handy guide sheet for all involved. Michael began using the code “The Thing with the Thing” in case Ruth began to suspect. Considering the source, the term seemed just random enough to throw her off.
(CLICK MAP to enlarge)
Two weeks out, Michael began timing Astoria-bound N trains from 57th Street. They always averaged out.
(And corresponded with Google’s timing.)
Lap 1 = 57th St –> Lexington Av
Lap 2 = Lex –> Queensboro Plaza
…and so on…
Lap 6 = arrived at Broadway
= The Thing with The Thing!
Extra Bonus Stuff
- May 25th was chosen because two essential west coast-ers could be there: Ruth’s sister, Becky (who was at a conference in Boston the day before), and Michael’s best friend, Matt.
- That night, construction shut down the entrance of the 47th St N station. Michael enlisted Ruth’s best friend, Peter, to concoct a reason for us to meet up with him at the 55th St entrance instead, therefore ensuring they could get on at the BACK of the train. (Ask Peter to tell you his “reason”…)
- Michael usually noticed 3-6 people riding in the rear car on a Saturday eve. That night, three extra passengers exited when our first group entered, gifting them their own, empty car.
- That morning, Michael’s brain full, he slipped and mentioned something to Ruth about Becky. All day, Ruth thought her sister was going to surprise her. It proved a great cover for the larger surprise.
- May 25th was chosen because two essential west coast-ers could be there: Ruth’s sister, Becky (who was at a conference in Boston the day before), and Michael’s best friend, Matt.
- That night, construction shut down the entrance of the 47th St N station. Michael enlisted Ruth’s best friend, Peter, to concoct a reason for us to meet up with him at the 55th St entrance instead, therefore ensuring they could get on at the BACK of the train. (Ask Peter to tell you his “reason”…)
- Michael usually noticed 3-6 people riding in the rear car on a Saturday eve. That night, three extra passengers exited when our first group entered, gifting them their own, empty car.
- That morning, Michael’s brain full, he slipped and mentioned something to Ruth about Becky. All day, Ruth thought her sister was going to surprise her. It proved a great cover for the larger surprise.