Native Houstonians Esther Steinfeld and Doug Freedman had been dating for about four years last summer when they saw that the Houston Symphony would be performing the music of Queen. Esther is a huge Freddie Mercury fan and "My Best Friend" is "their" song.

The night before the concert, Doug told Esther that he was going to propose during "My Best Friend." Ha, ha. But then she thought that he just might be looney enough to do it, even though they had not been talking much about getting married. The concert came, the orchestra played their song and Doug said not a word.

The following night, they were set to join Doug's parents in celebrating their anniversary at Ciao Bello. They were the first to arrive at the private room that was "overflowing with gorgeous flowers from Plants 'n Petals and candles."

Esther was astonished at all the fluff and the table that was set for 20 — all for his parents anniversary? But they weren't there for an anniversary party, Doug explained. Esther went briefly into shock.

She tells it best in her e-mail, "Doug asked me to sit at the table as he dimmed the lights. He proceeded to play a video for me on a big screen TV that he'd been working on for weeks. It included clips from When Harry Met Sally in which couples who have been married for 50 years talk about how they met and fell in love, pictures of us and personal, romantic messages. At the end of the video, 'My Best Friend' began to play.

"Doug said, 'See, I told you I'd propose during 'My Best Friend.'" She said yes and the celebrating began.

Doug told her she had 20 minutes before the rest of the guests arrived, giving her time to call and text her many friends. Her best friend in New York for some reason could not be reached, neither could the friend's parents, making the evening less than perfect. The dinner celebration began with both his and her family and midway through that friend and her parents arrived to join the celebration. Doug had told her of his plans and asked her to join the party.

After the small dinner, the partying continued as the Freedmans hosted an impromptu engagement bash for more than 100 guests at their home. Dessert Gallery sweets and champagne were part of that celebration.

"It was a more magical night than I could have dreamed of. It was the perfect way to begin our engagement," she e-mailed.

Esther, public relations manager for Blinds.com, and Doug, a broker with United Equities, are set to wed in September.