Qian & Eric in Kirtland, OH

Canceling a date is risky at best. But Eric canceled his very first date with Qian due to a last-minute business trip. “Luckily for me, Qian was willing to reschedule,” says Eric. They met at a Vietnamese restaurant, and their mutual appreciation of art, film, and design led to great conversation -- and a second date! The Bride Qian Li, 34, assistant professor The Groom Eric Eichhorn, 38, business consultant The Date May 12 Around two years later, Eric was preparing to surprise Qian with a proposal in Central Park while the two were visiting New York City. Everything was going according to plan until he realized that he’d chosen to pop the question on the same day as the New York City Marathon and there would be 200,000 spectators sharing in their romantic moment. He quickly switched gears and proposed a day early on a secluded park bench. The couple married just six months later in the formal rose gardens of a historic mansion.