We're two anime-loving, craft beer-drinking cocktail snobs who clicked shortly after a wonderful conversation over Olive Garden's unlimited breadsticks. From playing videogames, working out, trying new foods, and traveling; we're never not-together.

Jennifer's 24th birthday rolls around. Suspicion level? Zero. I book a cozy venue to fit 30- maybe 40 people, tops. The squad picks up food, drinks, and dessert; I pick up the Jennifer. Upon arrival, she receives the usual "Surprise!!" from all her friends. Immediately, a menu of 22 cocktails each curated by her close friends is presented. "You gotta go through each cocktail before the end of the night." One by one, our friends evolved into amateur mixologists. They share their libations and a warm memory with her. Some drinks were great. Some drinks were awful. But the tempo is kept at a steady pace, crescendoing with the final cocktail - mine. I deliver a speech as best as I could, and I present a simple "Whiskey on the Rocks", sans ice. As calculated, she took the bait - "Where's the rock?" And from my back pocket, a rock emerged. "Will you marry me?"