This Couple's Engagement At 3 World Trade Was 'Meant To Be'

WORLD TRADE CENTER, NY — Panoramic views of New York City made for the perfect backdrop for this couple's engagement at 3 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan.

Jaime Cuevas proposed to Perla Cruz on the 17th floor terrace at 3 World Trade in late July on an evening Cuevas carefully crafted.

"Everything kind of worked out perfectly and it was almost like it was meant to be," said Cuevas, 28.

But it was more than just stunning views that drew Cuevas to propose at the World Trade Center campus.

His father was an NYPD detective during the September 11th terrorist attacks who worked on-site in the search for victims and the recovery process.

"I remember that day and being picked-up from school and him trying to explain to me exactly what was happening [on September 11, 2001]," Cuevas said.

Nearly 20 years later, he works at the revitalized and rebuilt World Trade Center campus. He's been a security supervisor at towers 3 and 4 since early 2015.

"It's come full circle," he said. "My whole idea was just to have a new beginning, starting a new life, a new chapter."

The native New Yorkers planned to meet after work downtown for a fake friend's birthday dinner plans at 3 WTC. He distracted her from some two dozen friends and family hiding while they went to the terrace.

"It just happened really fast — I just couldn't believe it," said Cruz, 25.

"I [saw] a wave people running towards us and a camera man clicking pictures," she said.

"She had no idea. She didn’t even realize the people that were coming out to the terrace were her family and friends," Cuevas added.

She was shocked about the proposal — particularly because the lovebirds aren't good at surprises, she said.

"We're so excited about our surprise that we end up ruining it," Cruz said.

"The view of the city was amazing. It was such a perfect day," she said. "I think the best part of it was basically how he surprised me with my whole family being there."

The duo, who live in Riverdale in The Bronx, met four years ago on OkCupid.

They were both new to online dating and for their first date, agreed to go on a daytime meeting — a run in Riverside Park.

They ran for 10 minutes and ended up talking for three hours and have been together ever since, said Cuevas.