Having the largest castle in the world was Prague’s claim to fame prior to August 24, 2018.  Now, for one local family, it will also be known as the most romantic spot in the world, where the collaborative efforts of several behind-the-scenes people orchestrated a proposal that will be hard to forget.

 

Bridgeport High School alumnus, Mollie McKinley, had studied abroad in the Czech Republic while still in school. To her, Prague is the best city in the world and the famous Charles Bridge is the most wonderful spot in the city.  After traveling through Italy and Croatia with her family and friends, she arrived in Prague for the last leg of an unforgettable vacation.  At that point, she had no idea just how amazing that evening would be.

 

Weeks before, her boyfriend, William, had called her parents to ask for her hand in marriage. He already knew the perfect place:  Charles Bridge.  In order to pull it off, he relied on another BHS alumnus, former exchange student Aneta Sklenska, who is currently living in Prague. With her help, he was able to put into action a complicated plan that involved a photographer, a close friend of Mollie’s, a family willing to include the plan in their travel itinerary and a clueless future fiancee’ who was, up until August 24, thinking she would have to return to the states to see William.

 

“We have stayed in contact with Aneta since she attended BHS in 2015,” said Mollie’s mom, Brenda McKinley. “We asked if she could help us pull off the proposal and she was more than excited to help.”

 

As all good plans go, there was a last-minute complication to the picture-perfect moment.  When Mollie and her traveling companions went to the Croatian airport, the flight was delayed by three hours.

 

“Silently, we were panicking,” said Brenda McKinley. “William’s mom was keeping him updated and I was keeping Aneta updated and dinner reservations had to be changed twice. The photographer stayed with William, eagerly awaiting our arrival.”

 

When the group finally arrived in Prague, the forecast was poor, some of the luggage didn’t arrive with them, and they were way behind schedule.  

 

“I was ecstatic to be back in the Czech Republic, even if we were running late,” said Mollie.  “I was so surprised to arrive and see my “Czech Twin” Aneta run out from behind the corder and yell ‘Surprise!’  She also had a ‘Happy Birthday’ sign since my birthday was the week before.”

 

After many hugs, the group rushed to make it to their dinner reservations, which just happened to be located on the other side of Charles Bridge.  As they crossed the bridge and took in the incredible views, Aneta directed Mollie’s attention to a familiar face among the crowds.

 

“The last thing on Earth I expected to see in Prague was William,” said Mollie.  “I don’t want to be one of those girls who gets all mushy and weak in the knees, but that’s exactly what happened.”

 

As planned, William got down on one knee and proposed as tourists made a circle around the couple. Cheers erupted and celebration ensued and continues to this day.

 

“Though nothing could possibly top the proposal, I had the opportunity to show my friends, family and now-fiance’ around the city I adore so much,” said Mollie.  “There was so much love and we plan to name our new corgi “Czech” to commemorate the experience.”

 

The happy couple currently lives in Greensboro, N.C. and plans to wed in 2020 after she finishes her M.F.A. in Writing.