We're getting Married!! (did you know?)

Dustin and Melinda met while they were home for the summer, working at Pirate Coast Paddle Co. in Newport Beach. After working together for the summer (and some puppeteering by the bosses) they became a couple before returning to school. Long distance definitely made their hearts grow fonder!

A quick back story: While Dustin worked at a public accounting firm, he often worked long hours and weekends. This lack of free time encouraged Dustin and Melinda to get creative in the short spurts of time they could spend together while he wasn't working. They came to love what they call "tradition". In the early hours of Saturday mornings during "busy season," they would pick up coffee and walk the beach or drive through neighborhoods and look at homes. (mostly critiquing the homes they know they would be incredibly lucky to ever have) The Proposal: Dustin carefully crafted a morning that was genuine and true to their relationship. He picked up Melinda and they got coffee after deciding to have "tradition" that morning. They drove through the neighborhoods and pointed out bad stone choices or a good looking front door (and always noticed a few dogs in there too). They ended up at "Circle Park" which overlooks Newport Harbor and happens to be the place they became boyfriend and girlfriend so long ago. They walked out to the ledge and sat, enjoying the view and their beverages, talking like they have so many times before. Dustin eventually got Melinda to stand up and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. Spoiler... she said yes! They then went to Melinda's parents' house where both families were waiting to have a homemade waffle breakfast (Melinda's favorite).