In an imaginative yet deeply personal approach to proposing, Jared Greenwald has crafted an Apple TV app that reflects his relationship with fiancée Rebecca Wright. The 31-year-old filmmaker devoted months to developing this unique project, which features around 50 ‘movies’ inspired by their shared experiences.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Jared-Douglas-Greenwald-090426-96907f5a56e74a0c9108bf970fb6f99d.jpg)
Greenwald, whose previous programming knowledge was limited, embarked on this undertaking with the intention of surprising Wright with a heartfelt proposal. Desiring something intimate and unexpected, he turned the familiar Netflix icon on their television into the gateway for his romantic reveal. “I had no idea what I was actually getting myself into,” he recounted, acknowledging the substantial effort required to bring his vision to life.
Initially inspired by an internet search for proposal ideas, he found most suggestions centred on grandiose gestures that felt mismatched with the essence of his relationship. Based on his father’s advice to focus on storytelling rather than spectacle, Greenwald shifted his attention to their everyday moments together. He cherished memories of unwinding on the couch after long days spent together, making the ordinary feel special.
Over the course of several months, Greenwald estimated that he invested more than 300 hours into learning how to code an Apple TV application. He dedicated his evenings and weekends to the project, carefully concealing his work from Wright. Completing the app was just half the challenge; he faced further hurdles, including inventing an icon that would seamlessly integrate into their TV system, resembling the Netflix logo to avoid raising any suspicions.
Once the technical aspects were in place, Greenwald devoted a full month to curating memories that would fill the app. He compiled anecdotes from their dinners, trips, inside jokes, and other significant moments, ultimately narrowing them down to 50 titles, each with a creative logline akin to Netflix film descriptions. Among them were selections like “When Jared Met Becca,” a charming romantic comedy, and “A Very Jewish Christmas,” which recounted his experience of being welcomed into Wright’s Catholic family.
On the eve of the proposal, the couple embraced a relaxing evening watching a show on Netflix. The following night, after dinner, Wright anticipated continuing the series but was instead met with the surprise that Greenwald had created. Initially frozen in shock, she found herself selecting movies displayed in the app, only to discover that regardless of her choice, the same sentimental video played. This clip interspersed scenes from one of their favourite films, *About Time*, alongside clips of their moments together.
In a meticulously planned yet unexpected twist, as the video concluded, Greenwald reached into the couch where he had hidden an engagement ring earlier that day. He got down on one knee, although the carefully rehearsed proposal momentarily escaped him. “Of course, I completely froze, and the entire speech I had planned flew right out of my head,” he reflected. Ultimately, he simply asked, “Rebecca Wright. Will you marry me?”
The couple’s romantic moment has gained traction online, particularly on TikTok, where Wright shared the story behind the proposal. She had previously set three conditions for Greenwald: it had to occur in private, be exceptionally romantic, and remain completely unexpected. Greenwald’s elaborate project captured the essence of their relationship, showcasing the peace found in mundanity through a creative lens.
For those considering their own proposals, Greenwald emphasises that the complexity of his project isn’t the objective. Rather than replicating his coding feat, he advises individuals to focus on the unique aspects of their relationships. By making their partner feel seen and cherished, the proposal transforms into a celebration of genuine love.
“Ultimately, it ended up taking way more work and becoming a much bigger project than I ever anticipated,” Greenwald stated, expressing his desire for Wright to feel deeply loved. Through this thoughtful gesture, he endeavoured to convey just how significant their shared moments truly are.