It all happened at Gracie Simmonds 1st birthday party. Bijan had been a friend of Jordan's (Maddie's Brother) since their CDM days. Maddie had heard his name throughout the years but had never put face to the name. At last, Maddie and Bijan first officially met just as everyone was arriving to the party. Sparks were flying. Just a week later Maddie and Bijan met up at Shamrock (a local Irish Bar) and have been together every since! Thank you Gracie for bringing us together!

As many of you know, Maddie and Bijan gained a member of the family in the form of a 1965 Glastron boat named Hula Girl, green shag carpet and all. In September, Bijan suggested they take two of their closest friends, Mara and Shaun Mohler, on a bay cruise the coming Friday after work. Hanging out with Mara and Shaun was as typical as it gets so the prospect of being proposed to that night couldn't have been further from her mind. When the time came, Linda Simmonds (Maddie's mom), dropped her off at Billy's by the Beach to meet up with the group. That day’s weather had been very a-typical with torrential downpours and lightening! Maddie thought they were planning on waiting out the storm and maybe indulge in a mai tai or two. Just as Maddie arrived at Billy's, Bijan scurried her down to the boat. Maddie was a bit confused, but just as they walked on the boat, Bijan said "the real reason you're here", and at that moment she knew. Of course she said, "YES". Maddie noticed her dad, Ralph, coming out of the woodworks from behind a fern with his huge camera lens, naturally! Simultaneously, they heard cheering from behind the dock, it was a group of family and friends....They spent the night celebrating!