Fast forward through Covid, both of Erin's graduations, all of Brett's pilot and captain licenses and BOOM! They get engaged on December 16, 2024 just in time for Christmas after 5 and a 1/2 years of dating.

Oreo, their cat, had been messing with the presents under the tree and Erin was inspecting them to make sure they were not bitten, damaged and needed re-wrapping. Just beneath one of the gifts, sat a ring box decorated in brown Christmas wrapping paper with deer and snowflakes on it. Brett did not make it to the tree in time to deter her from finding it. However, with now being as good a time as ever, he takes the ring box, kneels on one knee, opens the box, and looks up to Erin. She wells with tears at the beautiful diamond twinkling in the Christmas tree lights. Brett says, "My dear... will you love me forever?" To which Erin replied, crying now, "I already do!" Brett laughs a bit and says, "Then will you marry me?" and of course Erin says, "Yes!" with a long embrace and a kiss. Brett put the ring on her finger and it fit perfectly! Time for wedding planning!