Well...

I promised exciting events...

I'm Engaged!

So fun to say, yet sort of strange. Here's the proposal story for anyone interested.

Mike invited Mindy over for a candle-light dinner at his apartment on Friday before Valentine’s Day. As he drove her back to her apartment later that evening, Mike mentioned that he’d call her the next day. Then he stayed up till 3:00am anxious for the morrow to come! Saturday, Mike called her at 7:30am to tell her to be ready by 9:00am. They had plans and somewhere to be. Mindy got ready, but stressed about what to wear since Mike had provided approximately zero details. They drove north to Carlsbad, CA to check out some flower fields (as Mike expected, they were not in bloom). Buuut, the Carlsbad airport was right nearby! They hopped on a small plane and flew to LAX. Mindy really wanted to know whether or not LA would be their final destination but Mike was not telling! Austin Flack (the best man) was waiting at the airport in a tuxedo, ready to whisk the couple away to The Stinking Rose in Beverly Hills. It's a nice garlic restaurant, so it stunk in the best way! After a long lunch, Mike & Mindy walked outside where Mike handed a ticket to the valet (how did that car get here!?!?), jumped in a car, and drove down the coast to Newport Beach. They pulled in to the Shake Shack - a soda and ice cream shop overlooking the stunning Pacific Ocean at Crystal Cove. They had been there two years ago on Mindy's birthday, so it was a fun return trip. After a vanilla cherry coke, they walked along the beach for a little while. As the sun set, Mike pulled out a sheet of paper because he “wrote [her] something for Valentine's Day." He said some kind words, bent down on one knee, pulled out the ring, and asked. She said... "Seriously?" And then she said, "Yes!" They drove back to Mike's parents' home where Mindy found another surprise: her parents had flown in for the occasion! It was a great rest of the weekend with Mike’s parents, his brothers, and Mindy’s parents in town.