Today's Big Adventure....

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The Huntington Library & Gardens Cactus Sale

Lauren & Erika as we walked through the Cactus Sale

Composite Pink Flower in the Herb Garden

All photos taken by Ms. Jen with her Nokia N95 on Sat. June 28, 2008 at the Ocean Star Restaurant and at the Huntington Library and Gardens.

Sat 06.28.08 - Today Erika and I had the great pleasure of helping Dave surprise Lauren by leading her off into distraction land, so that he could ask her to marry him without her having a clue of what was to transpire.

Over a week and a half ago, Dave emailed me asking if I could help him pull off surprising Lauren, who is the ultimate planner and very hard to surprise. I said yes, I would love to help, but give me some time to cook up a few good options in subterfuge. That day I talked to Erika about it, we decided that we should trick Lauren with a plan to go to lunch and a museum for Erika's "birthday". I was determined that this would go off properly and that Dave's presence in Southern California would be a big surprise.

Today "The Plan" was executed - Erika, Lauren, and I had a lovely dim sum lunch at the Ocean Star in Monterey park. After a good lunch we proceeded on to the Huntington Library & Gardens, where we went to the "This Side of Paradise" Photo Exhibit and to the Main House to visit Pinky & Blue Boy. Much chatter and laughter. Then off to the Rose Garden. Erika kept Lauren busy, while I texted Dave on our progress towards the Japanese Garden where he awaited our arrival.

I won't go into all the details, but let's just say that Lauren had no clue and was VERY surprised to have Dave tap her shoulder while she was taking a photo of a water lily at the Japanese Gardens.

And let's just say that Erika & I were very happy that D&L were very very very happy.

Dave & Lauren:

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

by Black Phoebe :: Ms. Jen on Sat June 28, 2008 10:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | fun stuff , news + events , photos + text from the road

Tags ::

engagement

grace

joy

laughter

love

marriage

1 Comments

On June 30, 2008 11:53 AM, allaboutgeorge

said:

So cool. :-)

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Clay Shirky on Newspapers and Thinking the Unthinkable : "When a 14 year old kid can blow up your business in his spare time, not because he hates you but because he loves you, then you got a problem."

Rick Steves interview on Salon.com : Americans, travel, empire, Iran, and prohibition. Good stuff