It was a perfect early September Saturday afternoon, a few years ago. We were happily celebrating the 50th birthday of Robert’s high school friend, Dan, with an elegant lunch at the Boat House, on Central Park Lake, in the middle of Manhattan.

It’s a beautiful, romantic setting, right on the water. New York City seemed like Venice, as we watched a costumed gondolier pole his craft through the water. A young couple in the gondola beamed with joy. They looked so romantic, we couldn’t resist photographing them.

The gondola docked in front of our table and out climbed its glowing passengers. We told them we’d taken their picture. As it turned out, the handsome "he" had just proposed to the lovely "she" and she’d accepted!. Our photos had recorded an historic moment in their life together. They joined us in a bottle of wine and, as we exchanged business cards, we said we’d send them the pictures. As promised, we sent the photos…and never heard from them again.

That was almost three years ago…a serendipitous, New York experience. Then just last month, the phone rang. "Hello, I’m Michael. You took pictures of me and my wife Suzette at the Boat House when I proposed to her." We’re married now. By the way, on your business card, it says you help people who have to make presentations. I have a major speech to deliver. Can you help me?"

We did! We coached him privately on his important business presentation. He did a wonderful job and was so happy with the results, he introduced us to his boss, a well-known New York politician…which led to even more work for us! You never know when a chance meeting may change your life.