Our friend/colleague set us up on "blind" date. Our first date was at an arcade called Frankie's Fun House (which, for those of you who know Artie, is no surprise). This was Mandy's first introduction to Artie's love of games. After playing several rounds of skee ball, we went out for sushi, and Mandy told Artie all about her international travels. Every year on our first date anniversary, we go back to Frankie's Fun House where it all began.

It was Mother's Day weekend, and Mandy's mother and aunt just so happened to be in town. Mandy was extra excited because she rarely gets to spend Mother's Day with her mom, as she lives in Bangladesh. After a special Mother's Day brunch at home, Artie said, "Are we done eating? I have a present." He got up from the table and came back with a wrapped gift. "You have to stand up and open it," he said. Mandy was intrigued, but still had no idea what was about to happen. The gift was the picture-book "Are You My Mother?" and in it a note from our four-legged friend Colton (Artie's dog) asking Mandy to officially become his "mother". At that moment, Artie got down on one knee in front of Mandy's mom and aunt and asked her to marry him. Tears, hugs and celebration ensued the rest of the day. Of course, she said "Yes!", and the rest is history.