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Turlock man proposes on Christmas Tree Lane
marry me pic3
Nick Smith gathered friends and family at Christmas Tree Lane on Sunday evening to witness his proposal to Maci Williams. Happy to share the special moment with those near and dear, the couple has plans to wed next October surrounded by friends and family once again. - photo by Photo by Marilyn Diaz

It’s a holiday tradition for Maci Williams to make her way to Christmas Tree Lane in Turlock, but this year was one for the books as her boyfriend Nick Smith got down on one knee to propose Sunday evening.

“Basically, the reason I chose Christmas Tree Lane is because Maci is kind of obsessed with Christmas,” laughed Smith.

After dating for nearly three and a half years the couple knew they wanted to get married, but for Smith the issue was finding a time and place to surprise Maci. Strategically timing the proposal to fall between a trip to Reno and Christmas knowing that she would suspect the proposal at either of those times, Smith found Christmas Tree Lane to be the ideal place in which to pop the question.

“It was hard because she is super nosy,” said Smith, noting that he had Williams’ mom hold onto the ring for safe keeping.

True to form, Williams said she suspected something was up when her brother invited her to dress up and go to dinner on Sunday night. When they later went to Christmas Tree Lane she saw a group congregating in one area, not immediately realizing that it was her friends and family hiding Smith and a sign that said “Marry Me?”

“We are really close to everyone there so it was nice to get to share that moment with them,” said Williams.

“It was pretty incredible to see Maci, my friend of more than 10 years, become engaged and take this step with Nick,” added the couple’s friend Amy Nelson.  

However, their friends and family members weren’t the only ones watching that night. A group of 30 to 40 people had gathered across the street to witness the proposal and as Smith got down on one knee, the fire truck that carries Santa Claus around town just happened to pass by.

“It went better than planned,” said Smith. “It was just perfect.”

While their Christmas Tree Lane experience was one they will always remember, it is not the last time Williams and Smith will be surrounded by the ones they love. With plans for a bohemian themed October wedding, Smith is eager to brew his own beer for the affair that will take place at Williams' grandparent’s home in Coarsegold. So, what will Williams be up to over the next year? Wedding planning, of course.

 “Everyone knows me for my wedding Pinterest board,” laughed Williams. “It will be nice to finally put it to use.”