You’ve probably seen this picture, or at least heard the story about the man who proposed to his now-fiancée at the Austin Comic Convention a couple of weeks ago.
I was asked on Reddit to fill in some details, and though I was not OP, I delivered:
It was Sunday at Austin Wizard World Con. I had the flu, and almost missed this photo session. Though I had a fever and no cowbell, I sat there and smiled for everyone as best as I could, grateful that I’d spent the entire night throwing up so there was nothing left in me to vomit all over the fans like I was cosplaying from the Exorcist.
The way this sort of photo session works is pretty standard: people come in, stand next to Patrick, say a few words, and then we all pose for the picture. Each person is there for less than half a minute (which I think really sucks because of how much they pay for the opportunity, but is pretty much the only way we can manage the hundreds of people who usually sign up for these things.)
About 30 minutes or so into this particular session, these two people came in. The girl went to stand between Patrick and Frakes, and the guy directed her to stand in the front, instead. All of us tried to figure out what was going on (usually it’s small kids who come to the front, usually sitting on Brent’s lap or Gates’ lap), and the guy said, “I really love Star Trek, but I love [her name] even more.” He got down on one knee, and proposed to her.
Marina started to cry, I felt like I was going to cry, and we all applauded and celebrated when she said “yes.” Apparently, they’d met Marina earlier in the day, and Marina had given him shit for not marrying her, so Marina was embarrassed about that.
I’m not sure why this picture is being circulated online, like Patrick is giving the literal Picard Facepalm, because that’s just not what happened. We were all delighted for this young couple, and I know that I was honoured to be part of this moment in their lives. I think it’s likely that Patrick was just wiping sweat off his brow or something like that.
It wasn’t awkward, other than that moment when everyone except the guy had no idea what was going on. Once we knew what was happening, it was awesome. I’m incredibly happy for these people, and I love that I got to be part of what is hopefully a moment they’ll celebrate and remember for the rest of their lives.
Yesterday, Anne and I celebrated our thirteenth wedding anniversary (More like ANNE-N-WIL-IVERSARY AMIRITE?!), so I stayed off the internet for most of the day. However, I got a very sweet e-mail from the young woman who was the proposed, and she said something that I think is pretty awesome:
I just read your comments on Reddit and I wanted to thank you. It was nice to hear your thoughts on it. My fiance proposed to me in front of the TNG cast because of a school girl crush I had on you.Thanks for battling through your flu to be there. It was very special having you and the rest of the cast there. I will cherish the moment forever.
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Aww, you looked like a very emotionally invested hobo. No foul.
That is awesome. You can get a picture with Picard! 🙂 And congrats to the couple.
Here’s the second frame, showing everybody happy (and Wil trying not to barf, I think):
[URL=http://imgur.com/ctqGP][IMG]http://i.imgur.com/ctqGPs.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Thats awesome! I hadn’t seen that photo, but had heard the story. Its cool that you were there for this, and her husband is pretty awesome for his timing. Her email afterwords made it perfect! Congrats to you and Anne for 13 years! I don’t know what you did to get her, but here’s to many more years with her!
Found another picture on the cheezburger network. 😀 I think I much prefer Sir Patrick’s, Mr. Spiner’s, Mr. Frakes, and your reactions much better here.
http://cheezburger.com/6745685248
That’s the only one I had seen so far, and it is ADORABLES!
And I just needed to say, I think it’s awesome of you that you power through these things even when you’re sick. I’m sure everyone appreciates it.
Oh, and congratulations on tricking Anne into marrying you lo those many years ago!
Actually, this (https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/197039_10151157469273005_299382520_n.jpg) is the photo I saw of the proposal, and your expression (and J. Frakes’ as well) is WONDERFUL. Bless you guys for finding joy in being a part of moments like these. <3
Since there is a picture where everyone looks happy, the fact that there’s a facepalm version makes it just that much better.
It must be pretty cool to have been part of something that means this much to people, and to be able to be part of their lives like this.
See, I like that picture, it’s all about the love. The expressions of joy (or dismay depending on which photo) on Jonathan and Patrick’s faces and even LeVar and Brent seem to have matching BFF necklaces on. Even Michael has the patented Dorn, “Dammmmmmmmmmmmnnnn” face. Really great. Also, congrats to you and Anne.
I much prefer this picture of the moment. Wil’s face is excellent!
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/852018/thumbs/o-STAR-TREK-WEDDING-PROPOSAL-PHOTO-570.jpg?4
Awesome of you to repost this. I’m fairly new to reddit, thanks to you, and I would have missed your description. What a great moment. And kudos, I also get sick a lot, and I know what it like to plow through a day feeling like garbage.
It must be strange to have this stuff happening around one so much. I know it’s not a rare occurence to Patrick. I heard him give a couple the order to “Engage” many years ago.
What would really rock? Star Trek themed divorces. Complete with Ferengi lawyers and a Klingon judge.
Get Well Wil!
In that second picture you have the “OMG You got Debvbie Gibson to sing at my birthday!?! face on”
Great Sweatshirt Wil!
I thought I wasn’t worthy, but then I decided that I actually was worthy. Also, it’s the most comfortable hoodie I’ve ever owned, and a great way to discover other craft beer lovers!
You all look like family…slightly disheveled…possibly dysfunctional…But nonetheless family…Truly one of the coolest pics i’ve ever seen…And an incredible memory for that couple.
The fact that you did this while recovering from the flu AND still had such a positive reaction tells me that you, sir, are a mensch.
Very very awesome!
The first time I saw that pic, I thought “Wil is such a girl!” And I really do mean that in the best way possible. 😉
… I think Michael is wearing the baseball cap he got from our wardrobe department.
Or was that his cap? I don’t remember anymore. But man, he’s rocking the Shakespearean janitor vibe, still.
That is also the cutest picture in the history of things.
The second photo is great because it looks like he has just proposed to you!
go gay marriage! squeeeee!
“Engage!” And they did.
What a beautiful moment. How cool that you got to be a part of it. Thanks for sharing the story, Wil.
You do look amazingly happy in that second pic. Like “little girl gets a pony” happy.
Naw, Marina shouldn’t be embarassed. It was just Karma taking over, and a nudge to this guy that he was indeed doing the right thing! I mean, that was too much of a coincidence for it to be a coincidence. There are no mistakes!
I love these stories!
Hey Wil, How come Denis Crosby isnt with you guys? She was here in Calgary.
BTW love the story!!!!!
I happened to be standing just outside the curtains and when the other volunteers and i heard the commotion, we peeked in. It was so fun to see this happen! And every one of the cast looked surprised, happy, and i suspect there were a few teary eyes (besides Mirna, who was beside herself with excitement). Keep in mind that most of the pictures you see were candid and not posed at all. The photographer just kept snapping away to get the perfect shot. The cast all seemed genuinely happy (no facepalms were witnessed by this observer) and all congratulated the couple! It was awesome to witness this! The best of congratulations to them both! And, uh, kudos to the guy for doing that! Guys, you taking notes… 😉
In the first picture, LeVar and Brent seem completely unimpressed by the whole situation.
FWIW, I never even saw the first picture until you posted this. I only saw the second pic, which made me silly-happy. It’s adorable in every way. I think that’s an indication of how awesome the folks I follow on twitter are. 🙂
Also, congratulations to you and Anne! It makes me happy when good people are happy and successful. So thanks!
The second picture looks like Wil is squeeing his pants off!
If that were me, I would be so excited to have a (what looks like) honest to goodness Picard face palm in that moment!
Every time I read this I get happy and love you and all the TNG cast even more. Your openness, honesty and willingness to share is awesome! Your face in both pictures is priceless! What a great story to be part of !
It’s a great story and the picture’s super-cute.
I should bring to your attention, however, that the Daily Mail (Britian’s most non-biased…oh, who’m I kidding…trash news site) has it posted with an accompanying article referring to you throughout as “MS Wheaton”.
Not ONCE. EVERY. TIME.
Is there something you’re not telling us? Are you now a pretty lady?
When has the Daily Mail ever been right about anything?
That proposal with all of you in the picture is awesome!
Happy anniversary to you and Anne.
You SO need to wear a cowbell to future Cons from now on.
There’s a version of the second pic floating around that has the guy moved juuuuust far enough to his right that it looks like he’s proposing to you. Which is awesomely hilarious, because your reaction looks perfectly suited.
This is so awesome! On the second pic, you look as if you were the one being proposed to 😉 Happy anniversary to you guys!
In that 2nd pic, it’s Spiner that looks like a grump old man! That’s a cool thing to have happen! Congrats to the couple!
What?! You don’t carry an emergency cowbell at all times?That just seems wrong.
If you had a collection of cowbells,you could start your own impromptu cowbell band whenever the need arised.That would be all kinds of awesome…or annoying. It could go either way.
She’s cute, and you guys (tng cast) look good together. You should do a movie, e.g. an oceans 11 kind of thing of take any old sinatra caper movie that you can get the rights to cheap and reshoot.
This episode reminds me of my first gencon (indy gencon.) Sean Astin gave a talk,and during the Q&A he was asked to call a fan and introduce her to her boyfriend, who then proposed,and she said yes.
That is a hilarious photo set. What a great way to brighten my day. Terrific.
I like the “other” picture better…you look like a schoolgirl attempting not to squeee…
Take that ’95 Dixie Trek!
On a side note, LOVE the new look for the posts. Much nicer than before.
I love this story, and your reaction is FABULOUS! I keep coming back to look at it when I need a giggling fit. 🙂
Very cool story and I had totally thought about going to Austin for this but didn’t because I did not see @wilw as an attendee.
Congrats to Anne and Wil and the couple in the picture.