Most marriage proposals are private affairs.
But Jeremiah Catalano-Reilly went public in a big way Friday night in the Loop, proposing to Michelle Simon in the middle of hundreds of cyclists participating in Critical Mass’ monthly group ride through Chicago’s streets.
“I wanted it to be in front of the community,” said the 25-year-old silkscreen artist. “I feel marriage is a commitment to another person, but it’s also a commitment to the community.”
Eight of the couple’s friends had a 16-by-5-foot banner positioned at the east end of Upper Wacker Drive. The banner pictured two bikes, side by side, and read, “Michelle Monique Simon/will you marry me?” The plan was for the couple to come upon it as they rode by. But they were near the back of the pack of the 1,000 or so riders, most of whom stopped to watch the show, bringing the 18.5-mile ride to a halt.
Catalano-Reilly and Simon finally got through the crowd. As they approached the banner, she realized what was happening. “Oh my God; this is awesome,” she yelled, almost falling off her bike.
They hugged, they kissed (“Yes, yes, yes,” she told him). The crowd cheered and applauded.
“I was like 2 feet away and didn’t see it,” Simon, a 24-year-old photographer, said afterward. “This is a complete surprise.”
After a champagne-and-stout toast from friends, it was back on their bikes.
“Now we’re going to ride the rest of the ride and go celebrate at our house,” Catalano-Reilly said.
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