March 2021: The one where Casey and Mikey get engaged

There are some moments in life that you just can’t miss.

As the sun was shining, the waves were crashing, and the engagement ring was sparkling on Newport Beach, my family was experiencing one of these moments.

My sister’s boyfriend had just proposed and unbeknownst to her, we were getting ready to celebrate only a quarter mile away. Over the years, Mikey had absorbed Casey’s hints about what this day might look like, and in recent months, Mikey had listened to the guidance from Mom and the sisters to figure out the logistics.

Casey dreamed of a private proposal in a beautiful location that was special to them. But she also hoped there would be an opportunity to celebrate with family soon after. Considering that Mikey and Casey live across the country from our family during a pandemic, it was looking less and less likely that it would pan out that way. Nevertheless, somehow Mikey made it all happen and executed it perfectly.

Here’s how it went down:

Jessi and Pete had organized a quick trip with Casey and Mikey in Newport Beach to break up the dreary winter. Casey was under the impression that it was just going to be a relaxing weekend of brunch and beach games.

However, on Friday morning when Casey and Mikey drove to go “pick up coffee” for the room, Mikey navigated towards Pelican Point instead. He fumbled to put on the right song and began acting awkward as hell on the ride over. Suspiciously optimistic, her heart began to race, her face began to crack a smile, and she began to question whether this particular coffee errand was really a coffee errand after all. Casey did a quick TSA security check on Mikey’s pant pockets, but he had the ring elusively stuffed in his back left pocket.

Connected to the Pelican Point parking lot, there was a path that led to a designated area at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the beach below. They giggled nervously without speaking as they walked down the path. When they reached the outlook point, there was no coffee shop waiting for them at the spot, but instead there were decorations, quotes, flowers, pictures of the happy couple and a sign that read, “Will you marry me?”

As they arrived at the spot, Mikey turned to Casey and attempted to speak. The speech he rehearsed for weeks did not come out…only a high pitch crackly sound combined with a lot of tears and babbling sniffles. After a few seconds of this (it felt like 30 years for Mikey) they were bursting out in laughter and she reminded him that he might want to at least get on one knee. Like a good future husband, he listened to the woman he would spend the rest of his life with. He proceeded to reach into his pocket, got down on one knee, presented the box, and inaudibly muscled out the question.

She prepared to respond with an emphatic “Yes!” But no words came out for her either. Only more of her own tears and sniffles. A response he knew to expect as her acceptance. She threw her arms around him and the happy couple hugged, kissed, and took in the moment.

At that point, the Hollywood trained paparazzi camera man jumped out of the bushes and began capturing the scene. After a few minutes of pictures at the proposal spot, Mikey, Casey, and the photographer made their way down to the beach below.

A few minutes into the photo shoot, Jessi and Pete joined them to celebrate on the beach. Then Mikey’s brother, sister, and sister’s boyfriend (who all decorated the proposal spot) joined the group as well. Finally, Jordan and I snuck down the path with my parents while Casey was turned the other way looking out at the ocean. When she turned around, her full picture of the dream proposal was complete.

She had the love of her life by her side, an ocean at her back, a ring on her finger, and her family ready to pop champagne in front of her. As we all embraced, we meant to express our “Congratulations” verbally, but we couldn’t either…so we resorted to the family default- hugs, sniffles, and tears. Must’ve been something in the California air.

After the flurry of surprises, we caught up and took pictures until it was time to head back to the Marriott where we were all staying. For the next 24 hours, we hung by the pool, played games, got torched by the sun, shared stories, took in the Orange County views, ate, drank, laughed, and celebrated.

On Saturday, we took a Duffy Boat around Balboa Island.

I have never seen Casey and Mikey smile as big as they did when they were singing along to their carefully constructed “Engagement Party Playlist” with the people they love.

I have never heard my Dad laugh as hard as he did when we blasted “My Heart will Go On.” The Minutillo boys reenacted the “King of the World” scene from Titanic on the front of the boat which influenced the neighboring Duffies to do the same. As you can see from the picture below, Dad got a kick out of it.

I’ve never seen my mom beam as proudly as she did when toasting to her kids and their significant others for the people they’ve become and the relationships they’ve developed.

And Jordan and I were just thrilled to know our lovable children were safely playing with their Aunt Nona while we were partying on a little boat 3000 miles away.

These are the moments in life that we can’t afford to miss. However, it certainly was looking like we might have to.

The success of the weekend required the thoughtful coordination of the Janiec and Minutillo families. It was dependent on our amazing friends, Katie and Johnny, and our wonderful Aunt “Nona” stepping up big to take care of our little ones while we were away. It required two fun and adorable kiddos, Charlie and Jack, to be on their best behavior.

The weekend was able to happen because our generous employers granted Jordan and I the flexibility to not only go on the trip, but safely work from home and quarantine upon our return.

We didn’t miss this moment because Jordan wouldn’t let us – whether it was her continuing to remind me about the moments that matter most or the 5 page comprehensive playbook she prepared for Charlie and Jack’s babysitters.

But most of all, this moment was possible because of two people that bring as much joy to our lives as they bring to each other. We would’ve crossed the Sahara for Casey and Mikey, let alone the Pacific Coast Highway. They represent the epitome of why relationships flourish when you make your partner laugh, cry, and think every day. And without fail, Casey and Mikey gave us a moment in life that we just couldn’t miss, and one that we’ll never forget…

And they are just getting started! It’s going to be an amazing year and an even better lifetime. Can’t wait to be along for the ride!