Mark and Gia have known they wanted to get married for entirely too long. Throughout 2017 they had talked about venues, honeymoon spots, and even looked at rings together. She knew he was planning on asking but, after multiple trips to Disneyland that ended without a proposal, Gia had resigned to a vague hope that a ring would come while the date still ended with a seven.

Then, on the Friday before Christmas, Mark arranged a date night at OneSpeed; an East Sac pizza place that holds value for not only them, but was a tradition for Gia’s family around the holidays. He had gotten a reservation; something the restaurant doesn’t normally accommodate except under suspiciously special circumstances (something she went along with surprisingly well), complete with a table for two along the front windows. She knew that, following dinner, they would go to look at Christmas lights in the Fab Forties. But she didn’t know everything the night had in store.

Sacramento on a Friday is a noise and busy affair, and last one before Christmas is no exception. Despite the bustle of OneSpeed that night, the service was expedient and the food came and went quickly; an issue for Mark who needed to stall while all surprises got into position. After ordering a half hearted round of wine, he got the signal that all was ready, and steeled himself to ask.

Gia, of course, immediately burst into tears (the good kind, though). Mark actually had to remind her that he needed one of her now clasped hands to actually give her the ring. Somehow the at-capacity restaurant had turned it’s entire focus on their corner table and applause made it’s way across the room. It’s true, you can see it in the photos. It was then that Mark gestured to the large front windows, where both families were waiting, watching, and now; celebrating. They quickly filed into the crowded restaurant to hug, congratulate, and revel with the newly engaged couple.

From there they made their way outside where the rest of the families were waiting, including bridesmaids (and sisters to the Groom) Christy and Leslie had captured the whole ordeal on photo and video. A limo soon appeared and the couple, along with the entire soon to be joined family, clambered in to go look at Christmas Lights. Upon arriving back at OneSpeed, their families departed; leaving Mark and Gia to take the limo back to Midtown. This was, presumably, so that Gia could grab a sweater before deciding what to do next with the night but in actuality, it was the next step in his plan for their celebrations. Back at her home she asked if her upstairs neighbor and bridesmaid, Amanda, knew yet. “Why don’t we go find out?” Mark had replied and lead her up the stairs to a surprise party with her best friends, champagne, and cake. They spent the rest of the night celebrating with their friends and planning their future.