Sam made reservations at one of our favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara, the Boathouse. We usually don't make reservations when going out to eat, so Melissa thought, "How fun! A date with Sam!"

We arrived at the Boathouse early, checked in, and then Sam suggested going down to the beach while our table was being set up. Melissa thought, "Fun! A walk along the beach at sunset!" Sam had worn a jacket, which Melissa thought was odd since a) it wasn't that cold out; and b) Sam doesn't wear jackets much - he's been known to wear sandals even in the most torrential of downpours. However, she figured he was just being sensible and planning ahead.

We walked along the beach for a while, taking in the fresh sea air and watching passersby. Melissa noticed a particularly interesting piece of driftwood, and decided that it would be a great sit-spot to watch the waves for a bit. It turned out that there was only room for one on the perfect sit-spot, so Melissa took a seat on Sam's lap.

Sam mentioned he hadn't given Melissa a birthday present yet (her birthday is July 15), so here was her birthday present. He took out a little wrapped gift, complete with curled pink ribbon. Melissa thought, "Fun! A birthday present! I wonder what it could be in such a little package."

After unwrapping the "present," Melissa found a gorgeous wooden box and thought, "Fun! A necklace or earrings of some sort for my birthday. How thoughtful!"

Much to her surprise, what sat inside the wooden box was neither a necklace nor a set of earrings, but a beautiful sparkling diamond ring.

Melissa turned around and asked Sam (as if she didn't know), "Oh, what's this?"

To which Sam responded, "You're going to make me do it, aren't you?"

Of *course* she wanted him to!

So she stood up, and Sam got down on one knee and proposed. And the rest, our friends, is history. <3