Allyson & Michael in Cincinnati, OH

It was the day before Allyson's 25th birthday, and she had dinner plans with her college sweetheart and boyfriend of four years, Michael. So when her sister asked her to go out for manicures, shopping and lunch beforehand, Allyson agreed and thought nothing of it. The Bride Allyson Bowman, 26, pharmacy student The Groom Michael Kessel, 26, medical student The Date December 20 It wasn't until the car ride home when her sister turned onto a strange road that Allyson suspected Michael was up to something. They stopped at a wood-covered path, and her sister instructed her to walk down it. At that point, I was bawling my eyes out, Allyson says. Michael was at the end of the path, dressed in a suit and holding a ring. Allyson's response to the proposal: Of course!