I had just pulled into the parking lot at Malibu Wine Safari for my shift. It had been a longer drive than normal so I immediately headed to the portable restroom trailers that were the only bathrooms at the front cabin. From across the parking lot I see a cluster of three women trying to console another woman who is wearing a tiara with matching sash (red flag) & jumping from one foot to the other, flailing her arms & generally losing her mind (don't worry, that’s not Gina). As I get closer I can hear what she's freaking out about. "You don't underSTAND," she cried, "I've never used a PORTA POTTY before! I don't DO THAT!" "We know! We're sorry! You're so brave you can do it!" slurred two of the women trying to placate her, almost in tears themselves (neither of them are Gina either.) I must not have succeeded in rapidly evolving a camouflage reflex because as I tried to sneak by this tiara terror, her third friend, a cute brunette (could it be?) spoke up "Excuse me, sir? Is there another bathroom my friend can use? Something indoors?" *Sigh* Almost made it. "I'm afraid not," I said even though I wasn't afraid, "these are the only bathrooms we have at check in." Tiara-sash screamed. Literally. Screamed. "But," I recovered, "if you're anxious about using a portable toilet, these are the ones to use. They have a sink, & they flush." The girl in sunglasses held out her hand toward me in a gesture that said both, "That's what I said" & also "Sweet God this is going to be a long day." I don't know exactly how things played out after that cause I had to go to the bathroom. As I left, the brunette was waiting for her friends who had all decided finally to brave the portable toilets. As I walked by she said, "You can't see because of the sunglasses, but I am rolling my eyes so hard right now it hurts." Cute & funny. "Are you on the lunch tour?" I asked. "Yeah." "I'm your guide." I said, "I’ll take care of you. I'm Tibbs." "Hi Tibbs," she replied, "I'm Gina."

I picked El Tejano for our first meet up because I could walk there and back without having to take an Uber or have to drive myself and find parking. LA problems, am I right? I was a regular there at the time, so I was comfortable if this guy (Ben) turned out to be a weirdo, they’d have my back. When I walked in, I spotted Ben at the outside bar, nursing a “Texas Sized” Modelo. He smiled and waved (a smile I had not so secretly stalked on his instagram the day before) and I walked over. He offered to buy me a drink, a gentlemanly move. However, I brushed him off - not because I didn’t like him, but because I knew the bartender would give me mine for free - I just didn't want him to waste the cash. With that blow to his ego, Ben headed over to find us a table. We talked and laughed easily. He took a video to send a virtual “chug” to some friends (Hi Jenette!). We quickly decided to double down on getting another drink and extending the night. At some point Ben noted, “this date is going really well”, to which I immediately replied, “this is a date?”. Ah, nothing like keeping em on their toes. Just kidding, to be honest, I just didn’t like to assume anything after dating in LA for a few years - it's rough out there! “Well, I thought this was a date”, Ben replied sheepishly. Why not? I stood up and leaned over the picnic table and kissed him. It was a date.

It was the morning of July 18, 2020, & suddenly I was awake. I had no idea that in less than an hour, I'd be engaged. I knew I was going to propose soon. I already asked Gina's Dad for his blessing (he was alright with it), & I'd asked her friend Natalie for help picking a ring (she had notes). Finally I found a ring that I hoped Gina would love. But I didn't realize when I clicked "Buy" that there was a 3 month manufacturing & shipping period. So I waited. "Why" remains a point of contention (Gina was sad one day), but the fact is that one day I told Gina that I had bought a ring. If you know this beautiful gal well enough, you know that she LOVES surprises, but she also LOVES snooping & discovering hidden presents. If you know me, this part might surprise you - I had the foresight to have the ring delivered, not to our apartment, but to my Groomsman, Jon. While I waited, I tried to think of the perfect proposal. Gina was adamant in that she did not want a showy public proposal. Being, shall we say, "dramatic" (attention-whore) I found this request a bit restrictive & couldn't think of a special enough way to do it. Suddenly she was awake next to me in bed. As we chatted with each other & Carl (the Corgi) she mentioned a speaker I had in my nightstand. She told me she found it week before while snooping for her ring. The fact is, that is exactly where the ring was stashed but it had only arrived a few days before. If she had waited or snooped again she would have found it for sure. I thought this was really funny & before I knew what I was doing I got out of bed, opened the drawer, took out the box, & showed her the ring. I'll never forget the look on her face. I'll also never forget how long the silence stretched out. She told me later that she thought I was going to put it away & purpose later, but I was already on one knee, & she was already in her favorite place (bed). So I asked her a question, & she said "Yes." (She didn't even have to put on a bra.)